Should I apply for a role that is a demotion just because its part time?

[Pinkjenny]

Title says it all really. As I've said a hundred times before, I am trying (very hard) to find a part time role. One has come up, but its a demotion and a pay cut. Am I compromising myself if I go for it? I have an interim role until December.

Just off out but a quickie to say I wouldn't. I would feel frustrated and I would probably resent whoever was my boss and would feel I could do their job better than them. December's quite a way away so I'd probably gamble on something else coming up by then. But I am a fly by the seat of my pants gal as we have established ...

I agree with flowery - if it was me I'd resent moving "backwards" and if you go PT it'll take twice or three times as long to get back where you are.

Is ther no possibility of a PT role coming up at your current level or any chance of applying to make your current job a job-share?

This is true. The lady I am covering for came in yesterday and confirmed she is definitely returning after mat leave.

well, it's often the most realistic course of action if you don't live within easy access of London/similar city, aren't a lawyer/doctor/teacher etc who may be able to ask to reduce their hours. I know many women who either seem to see that as their destiny (even those who were previosuly fairly high flying) once kids are at school or decide to set up their own business to avoid that abckwards feeling. Contemplating a similar decision myslef - to jump ship from v well paid p/t, senior role (which I hate and is a horrible commute away) to a local p/t unchallenging role I can do within school hours. I'm looking at jobs where the equivalent f/t pay is less than I currently get p/t! It may be worth it though for a better quality of life. That's for you to decide, I guess, what matters to you more - the extra time off work or the extra £/status of remaining on a f/t basis??

It depends on what your options are Pinkjenny.

Are you currently working p/t in your interim role or f/t ? What is your gut feel about the chances of finding a p/t role at your grade or someone to job share with if you see a good f/t vacancy ? Does your old f/t position exist ? Do you plan to have any more DCs in the near future ? Would working f/t be impossible with your child care arrangements and commute or unpleasant ?

Sorry for loads of questions, but its a big dilemma and think answers to these would help us to give more advice.

Hi Rookie - yes I am currently pt in my interim role, I have been looking for a pt role since November and two vacancies have arisen, which doesn't make it feel promising. I definitely plan to have another dc asap. Definitely don't want ft, if I can't find a perm role I'll have to try and find another pt interim role at the end of this assignment.

Ok if it were me I'd be tempted by the p/t role, particularly if you are planning another DC (mind you I planned to have another one and 9 months on am still planning so life doesn't quite work out the way you expect it to)I'm not a seat of your pants type of girl and I'd be worried that I was left in December with no job at all, rather than getting the hours I wanted at something that wasn't at the right grade.

Any interesting f/t jobs at your grade, how p/t does it have to be, as if there were then could you work 4 days per week which is usually enough to do a f/t role but not work f/t iyswim.
Its a really hard choice for you and I don't think there is a right answer but just whatever works best for you and your family.

Rookie - great advice ta. I've forwarded my CV to the agency and am taking some guidance from them.

4 days a week is fine, but its obv so much easier to do part time when you are already 'in' somewhere. Most of the pt roles in this neck of the woods are interim.