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Original poster

Is this worth it?

37 replies

learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 10:39

I'm unable to return to work full time as I was a postwoman and I can't do the the hours (6am start)

I can go back part time, 8am - 2pm, but after I've taken out the cost of childcare my pay would be about £110 a week.

Is it worth doing working hours for that much pay?

OP posts:
dizzydixies · 04/06/2008 10:41

do you like your job and want to go back?

my part time pay isn't great either but at least its something and I actually enjoy the work

Ecmo · 04/06/2008 10:41

£110 a week would make it worth it for me. I'd do it!

Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 10:43

I do actually enjoy my job, and I kinda miss it.

My dh wants to me find something else thats pays better but then that would probsbly mean working some sort of night shift, something I'm not too keen on.

OP posts:
Twinkie1 · 04/06/2008 10:44

Can you get some WFTC or CTC?

cmotdibbler · 04/06/2008 10:44

Probably worth it, as I presume it wouldn't be that easy to get a part time job there if you had a few years off and were then looking for those hours once your LO was at school - and those hours would be great then.

Is that cost taking into account getting childcare vouchers (tax and NI free)through work ? It makes a lot of difference

dizzydixies · 04/06/2008 10:46

give it a shot and if its not working out at least you've tried

I went back full time on shifts and it was just too much, juggling the kids between our shifts and paying for childcare etc

have since dropped to job share and cut the girls nursery hours and its working out fine so far

am about to go off on matty again and will have to work it all out again when matty ends but we'll see how we're getting on then, no point in worrying about it now

Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 10:47

We're not entitled to WFTC. Get a small amount of CTC as LO is under one.

Cmotdibbler - that is including childvouchers

OP posts:
dizzydixies · 04/06/2008 10:47

agree with the vouchers through work for childcare - they are brilliant and DO make a huge difference - check to see if you dh's work does them too as we get them off both mine and dh's wages

Notyummy · 04/06/2008 10:53

Remember, its not just the amount of money in your pocket now. You have to also consider the fact that you won't have a gap on your Cv should you want to apply for another job/be promoted, and you will be paying national insurance, therefore entitled to a better pension in later life.

The amount of women living in poverty when they are old is scary...and its mainly because they didn't think of these things when raising children, and expected/hoped that their husband would look after them in old age. Hopefully that will be the case...but id doesn't always work like that.

Sorry if that sounded like a rant Didn't intent it to; just a point to consider.

Ultimately it is up to you, but I would say it is worth it financially in the long run.

Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 11:07

notyummy- your absolutly right. I also pay into a pretty good occupational pension which is another bonus for staying where I am.

Also my job is based on senority so by leaving I lose all the years I have built up.

OP posts:
Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 11:23

Is there anyone who thinks this is a bad idea

OP posts:
Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 20:10

Really trying to pursuade dh now, really dont wanna do nights!

OP posts:
Eddas · 04/06/2008 20:25

i would do it. as someone else said once dc are at school they'll be good hours.

But if you do take time off you don't have to worry about NI contributions i believe that nowadays(rather than when say my nan was having her children) you get 'free' years when you don't work through having dc. can't remember the exact terms or timings. But it's set up so sahm don't lose out, i think, and anyway it won't be worth a lot when we get there. I worked out the other day that my state pension won't start til i'm 68, how depressing is that and you only have to contribute for a certain number of years to get the full state pension, can't remember how many but if you have to work til 68 it gives you plenty of years IYKWIM.

sorry, ranting on, but just wanted you to know.

Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 20:28

Thanks Eddas, thats good to know.

I know what you mean about it not being worth a lot when we get there - probably won't even bloody exist!

OP posts:
StellaWasADiver · 04/06/2008 20:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 20:40

Now I just have to convince dh of that stella

OP posts:
StellaWasADiver · 04/06/2008 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 20:53

When am I supposed to sleep thats what I asked him.

He just thinks that its not worth doing them hours for £110 a week.

OP posts:
MascaraOHara · 04/06/2008 20:54

Have only read the OP but there are other perks to working.. not just the pay. You need to consider the whole package amd also check what tax credits you'd be entitled to

StellaWasADiver · 04/06/2008 20:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cammelia · 04/06/2008 20:56

Its not dh's decision. Its yours entirely.

Cammelia · 04/06/2008 20:58

Good post Stella. Combine the wages, take off the childcare and it starts to look a whole lot better doesn't it?

Eddas · 04/06/2008 20:58

tell him the money is a short term thing. yes in the short term the money isn't great but when dc goes to school you'll have a job with the right hours and will get more money. you've been there a while too which has good implications for things like if dc is/are sick, holidays, flexibility etc etc. IMO the longer you've been somewhere the better they know you and how you work so the more flexible they are likely to be

i've been thinking about my job situation as in the short term i'd be better off swithcing to evenings/weekends or similar but dd starts school in Jan so long term my current job(been there for 10 years) is not so good money wise, but if i keep the job now the prospects for 6mths time are better.

Original poster
learningallthetime · 04/06/2008 21:01

We are both losing £36 each a week from our wages in childcare vouchers and then £10 on top of that to cover the total cost of childcare.

But dh looks at like this; its me thats returning to work so its my wages that have to counted when working out childcare iykwim

OP posts:
Eddas · 04/06/2008 21:03

latt, i work it like that too. Yes childcare costs are ours but i always work on my wages. It makes no difference which way you look at it. for us anyway our bank accounts are joint. money is joint. all of it.