Hi all. Just want a bit of advice from any of you that worked full time and then after having your lo's went back part time. I had a meeting with my boss on Friday to discuss the possibility of working just 3 days a week. He said he doesn;t have a problem with it and is even going to find out if I can do it on a temp basis- hopefully for 12 months. After that I plan to return full time. I was induced 5 weeks early due to pregnancy complications and my baby girl was in special care when she was born. Althogh I would never say never to anymore (she's my first) I've been told I could experience another complicated pregnancy, so want to make the most of her while I can.

It feels like the hardest decision ever! Financially after childcare etc it works out that there will be around a £200 difference in wage which won;t be a problem for 12 months, although he seemed very doubtful that temp contrats can be offered.

Has anyone been through anyhting similar? Any advice would be much appreciated!

hi

i tried to reply last night but there was no gap in a tree??

anyhoo, I was in a job where the general feeling was that you should do your contracted hours, then work your lunch, then stay late if there was still work to be done. Since having my baby my priorities have totally changed, and when I went back part time when he was 9 months old I make sure I am in for the hours I am paid for and damn ceratin to be out the door on time to get home to my little man - and dont care what the ones who choose to stay behind say about me!

I do 4 days 9 - 4.30 - Mon Tues, day off, Thurs Fri, weekend off. I would rather do 3 days if Im honest but I earned more out of the two of us so had to go back to something (short of hubby getting a £15k pay rise!) so we could pay the mortgage, and this compromise suits us fine.

If I was in your position I would take the reduced hours, like you say, you want to make the most of your time with your little girl, and then spend the next year trying to persuade hubby and work that a £200 drop is ok and make it permanent lol

Check out your work's policy on flexible hours before the boss comes back to you if you can - In our company there are quite formal procedures to follow and strict rules of what they can decline your request for so make sure you dont get fobbed off. If its what you really want then maybe be prepared to get the union involved and fight for what is best for your family.

Good luck!

xx

hi i was fulltime up until i had my daughter 3 1/2 yrs ago, then went back 10 days per month , 2 one wk then 3 the next.
I work Mon, wed andalternate fridays.
I go to a mum and toddler morning on a tues and run my own mum and toddler group on a thurs pm, i wouldnt change be partime at all, my sister works full time including weekends and she has 2 children and she doesnt have the time to do anything.
hope everything works out well for you

I used to work 40 hour weeks before having my son and travel an hour each way. So in effect I was away from home for 50 hours a week. So I didn't think twice about going back part-time. I now work three days, whilst also studying for professional qualifications which is a perfect balance for us. My work are very flexible too so I have been able to make up my hours from home when I have had problems with childcare.

They have, at times, asked if I would be interested in going back full-time or increase my hours but I enjoy my long weekends too much at the moment and think that it'd difficult to manage work, study and fitting in time to spend with my little boy. I would never say never though and at the moment the offer is still on the table.

It sounds as if your boss is on your side which is always the first hurdle so hopefully, you'll get what you want. Good luck!

[Modified by: Lychees on September 21, 2009 11:03 AM]