Deciding Part Time Working Pattern?
Discussion
This is going to sound silly, but I’m wondering how to work out how much part time work to propose my employer offers me? (I know the obvious response is: “Well, if you don’t know . . . ?”, but I’m a bit stressed and punch drunk after a few rollercoaster years, lack confidence to make a big decision, and want to get it right!).
Situation:
- Public sector;
- Been on annual contracts for a few years as it’s never clear where the budget is coming from next (usually from central government grants, so that my employer doesn’t have to use core funding);
- Work should be utterly fascinating cutting edge stuff, and some is, but I also have to do piles of routine crap as there’s no one else left to do it!
- I have carved out a really niche mission critical expertise role that ideally should rest with a team for resilience, but that would cost money so, guess what . . . ?
Current contract expires in July (of which I have started reminding people nice and early, because last year no one noticed and they just kept on paying me and I just carried on turning up for work!). I have told them that I am not interested in just carrying on as is (great opportunity to force their hand on the mundane stuff) and, furthermore – with a son finishing GCSEs – I aim to take at least six weeks off this summer.
I don’t need the money - two old paid-for cars, pile of cash, tiny mortgage, a pension I could access if I needed. Unfortunately I can’t just bugger off to Bali to learn to surf, or Arizona to learn to glide, as my son will most probably be at College in the Autumn and those dirty clothes won’t pick themselves off the floor. Plus I like the work (the good parts) and enjoy feeling part of something, occasionally on the national stage. Plus no harm in additional income. And I want to write a novel in non-(paid)work time.
I have been asked to submit a proposal for what I want to do (concentrating on the good stuff), and how many hours / days a week. Don’t know where to start. Is alternate weeks a thing in employment? Otherwise it’s possibly deciding between two or three years a week?
Situation:
- Public sector;
- Been on annual contracts for a few years as it’s never clear where the budget is coming from next (usually from central government grants, so that my employer doesn’t have to use core funding);
- Work should be utterly fascinating cutting edge stuff, and some is, but I also have to do piles of routine crap as there’s no one else left to do it!
- I have carved out a really niche mission critical expertise role that ideally should rest with a team for resilience, but that would cost money so, guess what . . . ?
Current contract expires in July (of which I have started reminding people nice and early, because last year no one noticed and they just kept on paying me and I just carried on turning up for work!). I have told them that I am not interested in just carrying on as is (great opportunity to force their hand on the mundane stuff) and, furthermore – with a son finishing GCSEs – I aim to take at least six weeks off this summer.
I don’t need the money - two old paid-for cars, pile of cash, tiny mortgage, a pension I could access if I needed. Unfortunately I can’t just bugger off to Bali to learn to surf, or Arizona to learn to glide, as my son will most probably be at College in the Autumn and those dirty clothes won’t pick themselves off the floor. Plus I like the work (the good parts) and enjoy feeling part of something, occasionally on the national stage. Plus no harm in additional income. And I want to write a novel in non-(paid)work time.
I have been asked to submit a proposal for what I want to do (concentrating on the good stuff), and how many hours / days a week. Don’t know where to start. Is alternate weeks a thing in employment? Otherwise it’s possibly deciding between two or three years a week?
SydneyBridge said:
What do you do at the moment?
How about term time working for a start?
Fixed term full time contracts. They'd probably go to permanent now if I asked, but the moment has coincided with me wanting to fit some other, personal time, stuff in. Would have bitten their hand off twelve months ago!How about term time working for a start?
Hadn't thought of term time only. Will consider how it would fit with deadlines.
Term time only, then results in more expensive travel when it’s school holidays, busier travel etc, I’d be considering the opposite!
Would your role / work load allow a 1 week in 3 working? Realistically, if you’re not there to do it (or anyone else!) how long can it be until it has to be picked up?
Reduced working days per week may be more suited, as it keeps consistency, and less likely to resent going to work.
I know if i did a week on / week off, id struggle to keep going in on the full weeks I’ve to work as it’s nice to break!
Salary, does the salary reflect the amount of work needed / given? If it’s fixed salary surely minimal hours for maximum productivity & pay.
Would your role / work load allow a 1 week in 3 working? Realistically, if you’re not there to do it (or anyone else!) how long can it be until it has to be picked up?
Reduced working days per week may be more suited, as it keeps consistency, and less likely to resent going to work.
I know if i did a week on / week off, id struggle to keep going in on the full weeks I’ve to work as it’s nice to break!
Salary, does the salary reflect the amount of work needed / given? If it’s fixed salary surely minimal hours for maximum productivity & pay.
Sounds like you're in a strong position OP. Well done as I'm sure that's a result of the effort you've put in to now.
I'd look at this the other way. Go through the 12 - 18 months after your current contract finishes, work out what time you want with your son for GCSE's, when you'd like to be off for novel-writing, any other time you specifically don't want to be at work and work backwards from that.
If there are periods in the year you know they'll be busy and need hands on deck, perhaps you could pick one or two of those where you know you can offer support to show some compromise from your end too.
Personally I'd find alternating weeks hard as it wouldn't feel like I was getting a true break or time off in between them, it'd be back to the rollercoaster you describe. YMMV though.
I'd look at this the other way. Go through the 12 - 18 months after your current contract finishes, work out what time you want with your son for GCSE's, when you'd like to be off for novel-writing, any other time you specifically don't want to be at work and work backwards from that.
If there are periods in the year you know they'll be busy and need hands on deck, perhaps you could pick one or two of those where you know you can offer support to show some compromise from your end too.
Personally I'd find alternating weeks hard as it wouldn't feel like I was getting a true break or time off in between them, it'd be back to the rollercoaster you describe. YMMV though.
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