Work dilemma

slkh

I am new to posting on here however I have been a long time lurker and I am now looking for some much needed advice! I currently work part time in a job I mostly enjoy however I now have to work 3 nights a month (24hr shifts) which means I am away from my children and absolutely dread going! After doing my workings out (Including my partners income who works full time) the difference in income between me working and not working is £62 a week, thats for doing 21 hours a week as appose to none, due to the fact that if I did not work we would get more in tax credits and be paying no childcare fees. I am really in limbo as to what to do as I have always worked from leaving school even when my children were very young and feel abit uneasy about not working especially in the current financial situation of everything increasing in price! however I also feel its not really worth while working 21 hours a week including 3 nights away from my children every month for the sake of an extra £62 a week! Sorry to have rambled on abit but I could really do with some advice on what I should do. Thank you in advance.

KiKi

Only you can decide what's best for you. I can understand that working for 21 hours a week that £62 doesn't feel great!!

But remember, if you're out of work, it may be more difficult to find work again once you want to get back into it, and when your kids are at school, you might find that you're a bit bored without the adult company and interaction that you get from work.

How old are the children? Chances are it's probably more stressful for you to be away from them than them from you!

KiKi

slkh

Hi KiKi
Many Thanks for your reply! I think you are absolutely right when you say its more stressful for me being away from them than the other way round, I just feel really guilty being away from them for so long. They are 6 and 4 so not babies anymore, however most of my 21 hours are of an evening or weekend and no of chance of changing them to fit in with school hours due to the type of work I do (care). I know only I can make the decision just feel really stuck and wondered if anyone else has been in a similar situation?

zzzLazyDaisy

I agree, only you can decide how important it is for you to be part of the world of paid employment. But if it is a simple question of finances, then the maths just don't add up. By stopping work you can probably save the £62 because you'll have time to cook from scratch, and shop around for bargains more. Depending on the age of the children, you may perhaps consider doing a course at college (enquire about a creche) or voluntary work, to keep contact with the adult world.

On the other hand, if your self esteem and sense of identity is very much connected with your work, then you will be giving up a lot more than £62 a week, if you stop work.

Only you can decide what's right for you and your family, and those are the only considerations. What other people may think really doesn't matter.

Good luck!

Savvy_Sue

I think there will always be work in care, but it will always be like this (antisocial hours). However, some employers are better than others, and some care work is more flexible than others, so before you make your final decision, have a look and see what other jobs are out there.

Oldernotwiser

Of course, none of us knows how benefits, including tax credits, could change over the next few years. Personally, I would want to put myself in the position of being less reliant on them than more so.

Googlewhacker

why not concentrate for the next few months in getting a job that is suitbale hours wise and ideal for school hours.

It drives me insane how people can decide just not to work and get extra money from the system. I understand your reasons but surely if you found a job with more ideal hours you'd be happier all round?

Mrs_Arcanum

Don't forget, the tax allowance goes up next month so the difference may be even greater between working & not.

You are giving your children a brilliant example of a good work ethic, which in the long term may be far beneficial to them than not having mum working overnight (when for the most part they will be sleeping).

Googlewhacker

Mrs_Arcanum wrote: »

Don't forget, the tax allowance goes up next month so the difference may be even greater between working & not.

You are giving your children a brilliant example of a good work ethic, which in the long term may be far beneficial to them than not having mum working overnight (when for the most part they will be sleeping).

Well said!

KiKi

Googlewhacker wrote: »

why not concentrate for the next few months in getting a job that is suitbale hours wise and ideal for school hours.

It drives me insane how people can decide just not to work and get extra money from the system. I understand your reasons but surely if you found a job with more ideal hours you'd be happier all round?

In fairness, the OP wouldn't be better off, though - she's still financially better off working. It's just whether the effort put in is worth the outcome!

But I like your advice about finding a role with more suitable hours.

KiKi

Googlewhacker

KiKi wrote: »

In fairness, the OP wouldn't be better off, though - she's still financially better off working. It's just whether the effort put in is worth the outcome!

But I like your advice about finding a role with more suitable hours.

KiKi

I'm not all bad

I know but her money from the benefits system would go up and to me that just isn't the point of the benefits system but hey ho.