Pros and Cons of Working less than full time?

[krisim]

You all have been so helpful as my DH and I relocated for DH's job. I have a spousal accommodation and am working out the details with the office that I decided to accept a position in. I'm meeting tomorrow to work out the details of my new job....however now that I've had some time off from work (I've been off for the past month with the holidays and the move out of state).  I've enjoyed having the time off, and am starting to consider only working 30 hours a week.

I have a 3 year and a 5 year old and they are both in full day preschool/daycare right now.  If I worked from 8-3 (for example) I'd have a lot more time to spent with them in the afternoons and we could possibly enroll them in some activities (like swimming, etc...).   Though we won't save on daycare, it just gives us more family time.  Dh also travels alot and it would be less stressful if I got off work earlier in the evening.

Financially, we will still be fine without me working full-time (we can live off of DH's salary alone if we needed to), but the extra income allows us to save more, possibly take vacations/travel to see family and will help us get into a new house here sooner (after our old home sells).  

However, my main concerns are how this will impact my career-- both short term (will I be expected to get 40 hours of work done in 30 hours a week?) and long-term (will I be able to go full-time in the future when I want to?).

Thoughts??? 

Has anyone worked a similar schedule?

[lime]

If you decide to work PT, I would highly advise working 8 hours days, 4 days a week.

The idea of going 8-3 still means you have to get up early, get both kids to DC and commute to and from work.

I've found that if there is a crunch and you plan on leaving at 3, one of two things happen - you get sucked into staying later than you planned or your CW resent you for "leaving early", even if they know you arrangements.

[noodleoo]

If I could find a part time job like that, i would do it in a heartbeat. It sounds like the best of both worlds. You keep your job experience current, have an income, but also have more time at home and much better work/life balance. Working 3 days a week or 24-30 hrs a week is my dream!

My sister actually works a schedule similar to what you are proposing. I think she works 8 to 2:30 5 days a week. It works out perfectly for her since her kids are in elementary school, she gets home in time to meet them at the bus stop and has the whole afternoon with them. She *LOVES* this schedule.

[ECB]

I don't know that I see there being a huge impact on your career, at least not long term.

As DS is now in school, I like the idea of shorter days. As you said, it will make your evenings less hectic. I go in early/leave early (4:15) and this is nice - getting home a little earlier than I would if I worked the normal "9 - 5".

[orangeblossom]

I worked about 25-30 hours at my last job, though full-time was 37.5 hours. I loved it. I worked two full days and then was off at 1:30 the other days. I could shop, do doctor's appointments, and such.

It was a contract position, and I couldn't work full-time the whole time, though I did towards the end, so I didn't choose that schedule. I don't think it impacted my career in any way.

My sister has worked a reduced schedule for years. I think it has impacted her career somewhat, in terms of finding a new position elsewhere, but where she works, no I don't think it has.

[hamster]

I work half time - 5 days per week, 4 hours per day (8:30-12:30)

I LOVE it. H loves it. My afternoons are spent keeping Wyatt company, running errands, doing household chores, etc. It's great being able to leave town so early on a Friday (H works M-T most of the year) and not have to take PTO.

It's also a great way to gain weight because of free access to the kitchen.

I'm in no way worried about how it will effect future employment. All that matters is *what* I'm doing, not how many hours I spend doing it. I do try really hard to go to all of the departmental "functions" though. I feel like I miss out on some of the personal bonding with coworkers, so this is something I've deemed important.

[laurao]

I work 26 hours per week, and I love it. It keeps my foot in the door, and I really thrive and enjoy my job. But it also gives me time for groceries, gym, errands, etc... Or I can get DD early from daycare. I love the flexibility. Usually I work until 12 three days per week, and until 4 the other two.

[sju]

I worked 30 hrs for about 8 months after DD was born. It worked great in the sense that I had more time. It did feel like a f/t job because in the end the amount of work I was able to give away was minimal. That was 5 years ago. Last November I submitted a request for a permanent 30-hr P/t. Still waiting on a response :-(.

[Redpoppy]

I switched to 35 hours a week when DS started kindergarten. Since I had the flexibility to not pay for afternoon care except for the days I needed it, I set my scheduled such that I could meet him at the bus on Mondays and Fridays (leave 2 hours early). I also leave an hour early on Thursdays. It's awesome. It was a 12.5% pay cut, but I can always go back to full time if I want. Since the switch, I've gotten two promotions, the latest one wasn't even on the radar as I figured I was 5+ years from earning it. DS and I use the time to go to the library, run errands, go to the playground, and get homework done at a reasonable time versus the Tuesday to Thursday rush. We did swimming on Mondays once, but then I put him in Wednesday swimming because they will bring him to it since he's at the Y for aftercare. I liked having my afternoons with him free. I prefer shorter days versus less longer days, as it gives me wiggle room to make up time from an appointment. When DH travelled more frequently it was so stressful, now I just need to get through 2 full length days.

It took some time, but you have to learn to not feel guilty and get everyone used to your schedule. Schedule a meeting from 1-3? I ask to adjust time or tell them I will leave at 2, or sometimes just change the time myself and let them know. They want to know when you can get X, Y, and Z done? Plan it based on your work week. The other nice perk is if I take a Monday or Friday off, I only use 6 hours of vacation time versus 8, so it stretches further.

ETA: My company strongly supports part time schedules for increased family time and those nearing retirement (not for going to school, second jobs, etc).  They'd rather keep someone working at the company part time than lose them.  While it is position dependent, they are also flexible with transfers to get you in a position to keep you at the company.  We also have flexible start and end times, so working around schedules is common.

[jinkies]

I just went from 20 hours up to 30 hours. In my previous job I was 20-26 hours.

I can't speak highly enough about it. I can get my kid on and off the bus, I can get dinner without feeling too rushed. Much of the year my son takes a class that starts at 4:30, and I can get him there.

I can't say enough good things about a pt schedule. I definitely feel like I am keeping my foot in the door while still having the flexibility with my family life. At both PT jobs I've held, I could have easily gone full time if I wanted/needed to.

[beantrees]

I don't go here, but I just had to chime to say that a PT schedule is seriously amazing.

I work 3, sometimes 3.5 or 4 days a week and it is so nice. Honestly, I try to match the pace of full-time workers because I don't want to lose the flexibility that I'm offered. I always want to be able to say "I am getting the same or close to the same amount of work done as so-and-so." Personally, at least in my industry, working PT doesn't really affect your career trajectory at all.

GL in your decision!

[robot]

Jan 26, 2015 18:10:06 GMT -5 lime said:

If you decide to work PT, I would highly advise working 8 hours days, 4 days a week.

The idea of going 8-3 still means you have to get up early, get both kids to DC and commute to and from work.

I've found that if there is a crunch and you plan on leaving at 3, one of two things happen - you get sucked into staying later than you planned or your CW resent you for "leaving early", even if they know you arrangements.

I think this depends on whether or not you have a long commute , and where daycare is located. I work about 30 hrs per week, and 5 days is perfect for me because the kids have the same schedule every day, and it's best for my job since I am always there for at least part of every day. However, I work from home and daycare is 5 min away, so it works great for me. If I had a long commute , then 4 days might be better.

I do think it affects my career a bit; the full timers may get slightly more/ different projects at times. However, I love it and would not trade!!

[robot]

Oh one more thought on 4 vs 5 days - once your kids are in school, having one full day off will not help you have much more time with them. Whereas 8-3 lets you have afternoon time, cook dinner , etc.

[krisim]

Thanks everyone for weighing in. I think the advice about not feeling guilty is something I need to deal with! In my last position I usually worked 7:30am-5pm (including lunch). I'm used to putting in a full day, so it would definitely be an adjustment not to work so many hours!

[wanderlustmom]

I have worked 20 hours for seven years and the only drawbacks are less money and less career growth. I will take it anyway. The balance is great and I feel have enough time for family and work

[crashgizmo]

I just spent the last year and a half working about 25 hours/week. Overall I loved it, and we don't have kids. It was great to be able to get all the chores and laundry done, as well as have time for myself. For me, a year was plenty, though, and I was getting restless. I just got back into a 50-60 hr/week job that pays 2.5 times what I made part time, so it really didn't effect my career trajectory at all IMO.

If we had kids I would definitely do it, for all the reasons you listed.