Working Part Time - 2 or 3 days?

[Cocoa]

Hi,

Just a quick question for all the part-time workers out there. I am about to put in my flexible working request, but I can't decide whether to go back for 3 days (21 Hours), 2 1/2 days (18 hours) or 2 days (14 hours)!! I was just wanting some replies to people that have gone back part time, how long and how they felt? Is it a right amount of time or do you feel you could be home more/at work more?

We could live on me going back 2 days, but it would be tight, but we might struggle getting child care for 3 days!

What is annoying is even if I do get part time working, I still have to do full time On-Call, so I'd have to go in on my days off!

 

[Reid]

could u maybe go back for 2 day for a few weeks and see how u get on if u feel its enough or if u do want to do a extra day x

 

[Dinah93]

We've a lady at work who is part time, one week 2 days the other 3 and she always complains she finds it hard to focus on the 2 day weeks as by the time she gets into it she's off again! She also has been offered extra hours sometimes and she laughs that it doesn't matter if she's in 2 days a week or 4 days a week, they give her the same amount of work. Only you can decide what is right for you, but if money will be tight I'd personally play it safe and go back 3 days to give yourself a bit of security to make a little bit of savings every week for a rainy day.

I don't know your situation, but if you might want another baby later on would you still get full SMP if you return 2 days rather than 3 or 2.5?

 

[alanpoly]

could u maybe go reverse for 2 day for a a small amount of weeks and observe how u obtain on if u feel its enough or if u do want to do a extra day

 

[Cocoa]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Unfortunately we are only allowed to make one flexible working request per year so I doubt I'd be able to change it after putting it in.

I like the idea of having that little bit of extra money to put aside for a rainy day.

That's a good point about the 2 day week, you kinda just get back in to the habit of work/routine, then you're off for another week!

 

[babyblog]

I work 2.5 and find this a good balance. I don't find it hard to get into work and also don't miss out on seeing my son too much

 

[c1403]

A girl im my work has just came back to work and is officially back 4 days a week but accrued holiday whilst on ML and has been using the 20 days at 1 day per week for 20 weeks...so technically shes working 3 days but being paid for 4??
Speak to your employer about using your accrued holiday 1 day a week? Not sure if they have too agree to this....