For the last 6 years, I have worked locally, which allowed me to work full hours. I would drop my child off at school at 8:45 am, be in the office by 9 am, and pick them up from the after-school club at 4:45 pm, usually getting home by 5:30 pm (bus times can vary).Last year, we went through a restructure, and my job was made redundant. I applied for and got a job in the new structure, but it’s one grade lower. I have pay protection for 2 years but no cost-of-living pay rise during this period. With the current rate of inflation, I’m really feeling the pinch, and it’s getting worse. I also don’t particularly enjoy my new job—there are some good aspects, but overall, it’s not for me.
My plan was to tighten my belt, put up with the role, and start applying for new jobs around March. However, a few weeks ago, I saw a really interesting role (I do relatively specialist work and had looked around the time of the restructure as there were voluntary redundancy options, but there was nothing available that paid anywhere near what I was on). I applied and just found out today that I got it!
Now, I need help figuring out what working pattern to ask for in the first 6 months (after that, my child will be in secondary school, so no drop-off or pick-up will be needed).The office is an hour away from school and my house is around 45 mins from school by bus or 10 mins by cab (I moved after I split from my ex and don't have a car) I have my child every other week, from Monday after school to Monday morning the next week. The new job pays an extra £4k a year, so I could work slightly reduced hours and still be better off. Alternatively, I could work increased hours in the office when I don’t have my child and then reduced hours at home when I do.
What would you do?