Go for promotion or stay part time?

[s017506]

Just seeking views on my current dilemma. I currently work 4 days per week, I enjoy my role and team and although not rich we are comfortable financially.

An opportunity for promotion has come up - it is more of a managerial role than my current technical one. Obviously upsides would be the additional money and career progression, but the downside is that it is a full time role (and they have made it clear that this is not negotiable).

Interested to see views from people who have been in a similar situation - would you sacrifice the part time hours for a promotion?!

What age are you and have you had any previous management experience?
Its a toughie, I think 4 days a week is perfect work/life balance, particularly if you enjoy your current role.

Early forties! Technically I could make full time work as my youngest started school last year but I do enjoy my day off in the week! I have done a similar role before as temporary cover so do kind of know what I would be getting myself into job wise

What does your gut tell you ? Do you want to go for it or do you feel you ought to ? There’s a lot to be said for having a nice balanced life. I kept my 4 days even when DS got older and never regretted it, but then I was well paid enough to do that. When I took VR and moved to a full time job, I really missed having that breathing space of the extra day.

Yeah I think thats the thing, the 4 days does work well for me, and financially we are comfortable enough. I think its probably more that I think I should go for it, rather than necessarily wanting to go for it.. and also a smidge of the unknown of who else might get the role if I don't go for it myself!

Do you have young children, how much of a salary increase would it be (after tax), how does that compare to of you went full time in your current role.

There are too many variables to advise on the information given.

I was in this situation recently and stuck to 4 days. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. I'm mainly happy with my decision, although the extra money would have been lovely!

I think it comes down to time vs money and what you place more value on. I love the work life balance I have at the moment, life is hectic enough with kids.

I was in this situation but I was already earning well on 4 days. I went up to 5 because my role shifted slightly and I thought it was the right thing to do at that point. My kids were early teens by that point. I also think it’s important to earn as much as you can while you can, job security is dicey.

I wouldn’t have done it while DC were younger because I enjoyed picking them up from school and work was flexible enough to do it 3 ish times a week. How flexible would your work be?

Also, I hate not having that day off now but I’m sucking it up as I can’t go back down to 4 days. I find it really annoying in the school holidays especially.

Kids are young (5 and 7). My work is fairly flexible (fairly sure they would agree compressed hours or something that would allow me to do pick up on the extra day) but it still gives less time for life doesn't it!

The school holidays point is also a good one - having one less day each week t9 have to cover with leave/paid childcare does make a difference...

Yes tbh even now DC are teens I find the school holiday thing so annoying. They’re only at home for a couple more years and I’m stuck at work over the summer. Of course mine are doing their own thing now but I’d still like to be around.

Luckily August is usually quiet so I’ll have more flexibility and taking some holiday of course.

Does it make financial sense in terms of do you currently do things on your day off that might need to be paid for if you work full time. Eg cleaning or paying for x days extra of childcare per year?

I usually use my day off for things like the food shop and cleaning/washing - it would be financially viable to hire a cleaner with the new role (technically we could do that now but it feels lazy when I have a day off ha!)