Part Time Work - Pros and Cons?

hd626 · September 2012

I am currently the HR Manager of a 450 employee non-profit organization. I have 4 staff reporting to me - 2 HR/Payroll and 2 Admins. I have worked FT since the birth of both of my children, now nearly 4 and 1. Recently, a part time opportunity has come my way, with a different organization. It would be 28 hrs per week, a one person HR department with no direct reports. It would be an 8-10k pay cut, but based on the hours, it is actually a 12% increase over my current salary. They provide pro-rated PTO, company paid life, and 401k after 1 yr (company contributes 3% of your salary, and then you can contribute up to 3% and they will match 1% of that). My current employer provides 100% match on your first 4%. Obviously I know this is ultimately my decision but I am wondering what pros/cons some of you have seen when searching and going for PT. The big pro is being home for when my oldest hits full day school (no daycare would be required except for days off and the summer). A con is the 401k - I am concerned about how that would impact my retirement savings in the long run, even with an IRA. Impact to career? It would make sense to do it until my little one is early grade school, atleast, so, 5-6 yrs? I am so torn. I feel like I am missing something.

kcisthebombdotcom · September 2012

You sound really similar to me. Before kids I worked as an HR Manager of a 350 person company with 3 staff reporting. When my first was born, I took a part time job with a smaller company as a one person HR department. Here was my experience:

Pros: More hours at home with the kids while still getting a break from taking care of them. Keeping a foot in the door in your field. Extra money.

Cons: I felt like I was always behind and never got caught up--it was really a full time job they tried to cram into part time hours for part time pay. I got lots of phone calls at home after I had left for the day because someone couldn't wait until my next shift for something. I had to do everything including the tedious tasks like filing and stuff since I no longer had an admin.

I did end up resigning this year since they ended up wanting more hours/responsibilities since business increased. I liked it while it lasted but much prefer being at home now.

In terms of retirement, it really depends on your age/what you have saved now. I thought that 5-6 years off wasn't going to make a huge difference when I will work for roughly 45 years after graduating college. My DH also works in a fairly recession proof field (accounting), his employer has a generous match and we can save for that/additional investments without my income so that helped with my decision too. In terms of long-term career impact I felt the temporary setback was worth it. I realize I'll have to take a pay cut to get a foot back in the door down the road but I have lots of professional contacts (HR is a great field for that!) so I feel that once I prove myself I can work my way back up like I did the first time.

GL with your decision!

azuremama · September 2012

I work 80% time for 80% of my f/t pay and benefits. It was a little difficult to take the financial cut, but it was totally worth it to me. Having more time during the week to do things with the kids and get stuff done around the house made a huge difference in my quality of life. I have still gotten good reviews and awards at work, so I don't feel like I've stepped back professionally either, although I will admit that I am not super ambitious, either. I find that I have to be pretty protective of my day off and tell my boss I can't take on more work, but it's been doable. And I'm more efficient when I'm in the office, so it works out. I know other women who have gone back to full time because it ended up just being too much work for the time they were in the office, so they worked more nights/weekends. The fact that this job is advertised as part-time seems promising to me. You should be able to find a calculator online to see how your retirement savings would work out.

saraboston · September 2012

I dropped my hours from 40 to 33 nearly a year ago now and I haven't regretted a single day. I switched to have more time with DD and to keep from going insane trying to have a life outside of work. It was a more than an 12k pay cut, but I don't even care, it made life so much better! I did up my 401k contribution % so that I'd still be putting in the same amount.

CHS2005 · September 2012

I have worked flex hours (they let me work 4 10 hr days) and prt time (25hrs) a week, as well as a regular full time job since my guys were born. The best situation for me would have been a job that was around 30 hours a week with CLEAR boundaries between work and home. This is enough time to keep up with your career but as pp said, not feel so behind in the rest of life and spend time with kids. You MUST have boundary between life and work (or better yet, simply not be able to do work stuff or home or even check email) as many jobs (mine included) were really full time jobs crammed into PT. Its great if you can make the right parts of it work. I am going back FT as i could not but am hoping to be able to work 4 10 hour days again where I am. A small cut in $ is worth your sanity and time with the kids. Good luck - I would do it!

Mrs_Lady · October 2012

I am an H R Director had a staff of 2 then budget cuts and it went down to support of one and now a 1 part timer! do no do it- i find you need the support staff in H R for a co that size!

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