Making up for lost time

Fireflyaway

I joined an organisation 11 years ago along with a group of other new people and was the first amongst us to be promoted. A little way down the line I had a baby and decided to work part time which prevented me for applying or anything more senior ( the organisation would not accept part timers for most roles). My colleagues since moved up several times and today have fairly well paid senior jobs where as I am still on a below average salary with few responsibilities.
I don't regret working part time to be with my child but I worry I won't make up for lost time. I don't know whether to get some extra qualifications. I did CIPD which got me nowhere so I don't want to waste more time and money for nothing.
Any suggestions? I'm job hunting for full time roles but still no offers. Guess I'm just feeling a bit useless...

theronstar

I am conscious that you have not had a response, so I am just responding to say that I have read your post!

It is difficult to advise you on what to do. The biology of the situation means that women rarely outperform their male peers in the workplace.

Have you found any books that women who have written about this predicament?

General_Grant

You say doing CIPD got you nowhere. What CIPD qualification did you achieve? Have you kept up your membership? Networking at branch meetings?
What do you actually enjoy doing?

jobbingmusician

mmm.....isn't it illegal of your employer to refuse to employ PT people in senior roles? Sounds like indirect sexual discrimination to me!

pinkshoes

jobbingmusician wrote: »

mmm.....isn't it illegal of your employer to refuse to employ PT people in senior roles? Sounds like indirect sexual discrimination to me!

Not really... if a role will not work PT, then they are quite entitled not to offer it as part time. Many senior rolls will certainly not work part time.

Likewise, the OP could have applied for the role and gone back full time, and got their partner to do the childcare.

It is very difficult to be a good parent AND work full time, so something has to give...

xapprenticex

jobbingmusician wrote: »

mmm.....isn't it illegal of your employer to refuse to employ PT people in senior roles? Sounds like indirect sexual discrimination to me!

OP didnt say 'female PT workers' though, rather all of them, male or female. No sexual discrimination there.

Personally I'd be careful about trying to strong arm your place of work, could end in a very horrible working environment if they are unable to sack you.

I believe the source of your problem is you comparing yourself to your colleagues, they have progressed and left you behind while you raised a child. in reality you cant have everything, you chose to raise your child (which i support) and sacrificed your career for the time being. Thats all it is, just keep working, get FT eventually and work your way up.

silvercar

CIPD is seen as a valuable qualification, I am slightly puzzled why that isn't giving you the opportunities you seek.

Takeaway_Addict

jobbingmusician wrote: »

mmm.....isn't it illegal of your employer to refuse to employ PT people in senior roles? Sounds like indirect sexual discrimination to me!

You may get away with that for lower level jobs but senior jobs will very rarely allow part time work to be able to fulfill the role sufficiantly, if they're not willing to work the hours required then they're not capable.

Its not clear whether the OP now works full time again, part time but looking to move back to full time etc

jobbingmusician

xapprenticex wrote: »

OP didnt say 'female PT workers' though, rather all of them, male or female. No sexual discrimination there.

INDIRECT discrimination. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=indirect+discrimination The potential PT workforce contains many more females than males.....

xapprenticex

jobbingmusician wrote: »

INDIRECT discrimination. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=indirect+discrimination The potential PT workforce contains many more females than males.....

Here you go:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=indirect+discrimination

:money:

Fireflyaway

Thanks so much everyone. I do not regret my choice at all, its just very frustrating that I had to settle for less challenging jobs and I worry I might be overlooked or struggle to climb the ladder after over 10 years of just plodding along.
I have since left the company that wouldn't accept part time employees. I guess its more hassle, but I can't be the only woman in this position so more job shares would be a good thing.
To clarify I'm currently still working part time but applying for full time posts to try and get back in the ring so to speak. Regarding the CIPD its has hasn't helped. Every HR job I apply for tells me I lack the practical experience or I just don't hear back at all. I'm applying for entry level stuff on lower pay than I'm on now, so not being unrealistic.