Would it be a total nightmare?

(4 Posts)

What Rockchick said, what do you have to lose by just asking?

I think lots of employers advertise for full time simply because it's what they would want in a job they were applying for. Depending in the job role and industry, could you ask them for a 4 day week rather than 5 shorter days. This would save on travel costs a bit. Or ask to work from home one or two days per week if that's something suitable to the role (I'm aware it isn't for most jobs, sadly, though.

Rockchick1984 Wed 23-Jan-13 11:57:40

What would you have to lose by applying and trying to negotiate your hours? They may say a flat-out no in which case you can decide if it's worth doing, or they may be willing to let you work flexibly and start earlier/finish earlier or whatever.

FergusSingsTheBlues Wed 23-Jan-13 11:35:19

I worked FT. My husband would drop off, I would pick up. Every family is different and for us it just caused too much stress, although i have to emphasize we were both commuting 2 hours a day. Ive resigned and its halved our income, but we dont really feel we had a choice, besides im expecting #2 any day now.

Its doable if you can be flexible with timings and super organsed in the house

IsItMyArseOrMyElbow Wed 23-Jan-13 11:29:46

I'm currently employed part-time in a job I really love, but recently my boss has told me there's a chance that I may be made redundant soon. After I stopped crying, I started looking for something else (because MAYBE I won't be redundant won't pay my bills unfortunately). I work 10 hours a week, drive from doorstep to doorstep, and can get home in 20-30 minutes.

This morning I've seen a job online, doing that same job I'm doing now for 30% more money (still not a vast amount, and below national average before I get flamed!), and it sounds fantastic ... except it's full-time and 15 miles from home, in a city I used to work in where it's very expensive to park anywhere near the centre, which means that an 8 hour working day will be more like a 10 hour day with the commuting and buggering around on public transport. But it means the DH and I can start thinking about moving out of our damp 2 up 2 down, I'll meet the requirements for ML if we have another DC (currently don't earn enough/work enough hours), and might have a slight overlap of 'the ends' instead of them just meeting.

My DH works alternate morning and afternoon shifts which means I'd need childcare cover at both ends of the day (DS starts full time school in September but would still need breakfast and afternoon club cover which his current preschool provides)

Totally torn as this is exactly why I didn't go back to work at my old firm after ML, full time means long hours away from DS and part time would have mean any earnings being wiped out by the cost of the commute.

How do other parents who are either single parents or both working full time cope? I think it's the guilt that's playing on me a bit too as he's never been left in childcare full time.

Do I a) pretend I've never seen the advert, or b) apply and try to negotiate shortening the hours and each end of the day a bit IF I get an interview?

Sorry for going on a bit, sometimes wish I could split myself in 2 and be a SAHM for the convenience of being on hand for DS, but also be a WOHM because I love being at work and need the money!

Join the discussion

Join the discussion


Register now