I only want 16hours

princessdon

Lets be honest here - you want 16 because that is the Tax Credits limit and the limit to avoid signing on.

That's not your fault (and many others do the same).

I work more hours than you do and manage to cook, clean do kids stuff etc.

The difference is that I am not supported by benefits so what I earn I keep (bar Tax.Ni), what you earn is reduced in Tax Credits etc.

That is allowed by the govt so people can't shoot/blame those that do, but it doesn't escape the notice of people that the hours you WANT to work are the minimum you can do.

If the hours were 20 - you'd want 20 etc.

luvvlyjubbly

feel slightly like i'm banging my head against a brick wall....
if i do extra hours i will have the hassle of weekly reporting to poll and council tax, and if you've ever had to go to my local council you will realise that you sit waiting to be seen for an eternity....
if my job was 20 hours every week then thats fine, at least i know my hours and what i get
I have a relative to mind the children for a limited amount of time, it also means possibly having to find other arrangements....
Good on those who can mange to multi task so well......maybe you're a bit better organised than me, i'm not sure how I'm going to fit it all in

princessdon

I do it because it is all I have ever known, you need to adjust.

You have had years of not working and time on your hands.

You said your OH passed away 10 years ago (sympathies for you and your children BTW), so this will be a long time since you last worked. It also means your youngest is at least 9 years old and at school 30 hours week so gives you a lot of time.

It's not your fault the govt set things out they way they are, but I can assure you that you do have time for housework etc, you just need to adjust.

Yes I agree the benefits system makes it harder (that's why I said, it's easier as I don't need to involve them), but who knows maybe you'll enjoy working and want more hours.

But the reason you get some negative undertones is because your hours are the minimum you need to work, you have to accept that people will have this view point. To workers who don't get help, when someone won't work more than they need to (in order to reduce their benefits) it kicks you in the teeth.

I, however, am no hypocrite and if I was in your position I couldn't put my hand on heart and say I'd not be the same, that's why I don't blame those that do what is permitted. We need to change the Govt not those who do what is allowed.

Anyway - good luck, once you are in a routine it's fairly easy.

luvvlyjubbly

thanks, i understand what you are saying and i like the way you put it, others are just rude.
I have been working for the past 3 years but only 10 hours a week in the school where my kids attend and as I could only earn £20 anything over that got taken off me.....I did this so i could have a bit of self respect for myself more than anything and also to have something to put on my CV. I'm not academic and it's unlikely I'll get a high flying job.....but at least I'm trying, I just felt a bit hurt by others comments...

theoretica

luvvlyjubbly wrote: »

feel slightly like i'm banging my head against a brick wall....
if i do extra hours i will have the hassle of weekly reporting to poll and council tax,

Are you sure? People working variable hours is so common that surely even the council has a system in place to deal with it without using their staff time every week as well as wasting your time... Or maybe not as councils don't always do sensible. But you have asked and double checked?

megan01

I think this is more of a question for myself really! But how did you have 6 kids? I obviously don't mean literal, but I am young in my early twenties, and single, and I can't personally imagine having 6 kids, because I know that in a situation where I would be alone I couldn't handle that many! I know the situation you have been put in is rare, and I have a lot of sympathy for you, but in the back of my mind whilst having kids it would always be niggling away ''could I cope alone?''

luvvlyjubbly

theoretica wrote: »

Are you sure? People working variable hours is so common that surely even the council has a system in place to deal with it without using their staff time every week as well as wasting your time... Or maybe not as councils don't always do sensible. But you have asked and double checked?

I don't know really and I asked that in my initial question, all i know from what i recall people saying is that it causes problems when they work extra hours....as I didn't think I would be in that situation I've not taken much notice, just thought I'd ask here. Hopefully it will be plain sailing.

denla

megan01 wrote: »

I think this is more of a question for myself really! But how did you have 6 kids? I obviously don't mean literal, but I am young in my early twenties, and single, and I can't personally imagine having 6 kids, because I know that in a situation where I would be alone I couldn't handle that many! I know the situation you have been put in is rare, and I have a lot of sympathy for you, but in the back of my mind whilst having kids it would always be niggling away ''could I cope alone?''

Lots of happy times.

luvvlyjubbly

megan01 wrote: »

I think this is more of a question for myself really! But how did you have 6 kids? I obviously don't mean literal, but I am young in my early twenties, and single, and I can't personally imagine having 6 kids, because I know that in a situation where I would be alone I couldn't handle that many! I know the situation you have been put in is rare, and I have a lot of sympathy for you, but in the back of my mind whilst having kids it would always be niggling away ''could I cope alone?''

Obviously I wouldn't change things now but....we did only plan to have 4 and I went back on the pill....foolishly,I didn't realise that a stomach bug (sickness & diahorrea) could stop the pill from working...can you imagine my surprise at the scan to be told i was having twins!

Dunroamin

luvvlyjubbly wrote: »

just goes to show when you try to better yourself some people will still have a go!
well actually i have 6 children to look after by myself so no i don't want to do more than 16 hours....i asked a question, this wasn't a discussion to slag me off.
thanks to those who have tried to help.

But, if you're turning down work, you're not really trying to better yourself, are you?

Twenty five hours' work when all your children are of school age, isn't a great deal.