Part-timers: A vent

christinak22

I am SO eternally grateful that I was able to go down to 3/4 time after having my first. I wouldn't want to be in the office 5 days/week and really appreciate the flexibility my employer has allowed me. (I work 3 days in the office, 1 day from home.)

But clients who call just can't understand. Someone asked my coworker yesterday, "Why does THAT GIRL only work three days a week??" in the sassiest way, like it couldn't possibly be allowed that I'm not there every regular business day. This is a retired woman, who gosh darn most likely did not work at all when she had small children, thank you very much.

And, while I'm ranting, how is it possible that I still get everything done I used to do in five days AND pick up the slack for my chronically ill coworker? Because I'm awesomely efficient, that's how. These people should not be complaining about me not being in every day because I get it all done and take care of them better than they guy across the cubicle ever could.

The end. 

jlaOK

I hear ya. I work PT in a very male dominated profession. Sometimes when they hear that I don't work on Fridays I get a sarcastic, "well that must be nice." Really? Would you ever say that to your SAH wife/friend? No. Because I think that we can all agree that staying home with kid(s) during the day has just as many challenges as going to the office all day.

SunAndRain

All of this is why I'm reluctant to go to PT. And it is a very viable opportunity for me.

I can accept doing the same amount of work for less pay because I know I can up my efficiency.

I will struggle with the perception that I am less valuable to the company because I don't work Fridays or because I only work six hours M-F.

I also know that I get annoyed when I need to reach someone but they are NEVER available on Fridays. The office is open. Your role doesn't cease to exist. Your not being there delays my progress.  So I don't know exactly how I'll react to being on the other end of the stick, though This actually is something that I'm confident I can manage. The perception issue I mentioned above could be the show stopper for me.

nosoup4u

Excellent rant!

My "part-time" job is 30 hours a week. I teach 300 kids/week, which is possibly more kids than the other (full-time) teacher is seeing in a week (we both teach art). I've realized that PT is totally the weird no-man's-land of employment!

Baby_Bunny_Hopeful

I agree!  I am lucky enough to have a VERY flexible job that allows me to work 2 days in the office (10 hour days) and then email accessible the other 3 days.  I average about 24 hours/week.

 The days I'm in the office, I barely have time to pee... I get a full-time job done in a bit more than half the time- and the company doesn't pay me benefits- works out nicely for them as well as for me!