Working Mummies Support Group #2

**Astrid** · October 1st, 2014, 01:12 PM

So the amount looks right - I think I am confused by the Tax Free Threshold - as I was looking at the situation based on what I would earn by end of this contract if I didn't earn any more this tax year. So if by end of contract I am under the Tax Free Threshold then I would get the tax I have paid back right?
.

Yes, if you have paid more tax than you need to, then yes you get it back. It is just that an employer can't technically tax you less as you may only work a part year. What you can try to do is do a Withholding variation with the ATO to reduce the tax you pay now. They do an assessment, then send the employee a Witholding Variation notice that is valid for the Financial year. I have seen execs do this a fair bit as they tend to have to much going on to reduce their tax.

It is a sucky thing about not working consistently over the year. I had that issue when I did a temp role. Got us some extra money now, but it meant that FTB was reduced for the remainder of the year as I had to up my original Income declaration. It was almost not worth working temp, as we relied on that FTB each fortnight.

Teeki - awesome news on the other job.

AFM: One of the painful staff members is leaving!!! I am feeling so much more relaxed now a work. Whilst I did not work directly with her, I struggled with the vibe she brought into the office environment. On top of that she was not suited to the role and thankfully for the business she has recognised that. A huge relief

**MummyNaomi** · September 30th, 2014, 08:10 PM

So I've now just turned down a role - Doh!! The role itself was great. Exactly what I do now, great company with lots of career opportunities but the commute and the hours were the sticking point. One evening till 8 once a week and the commute is about an hour each way. I've been considering it for days and really wanted to take it and the money was excellent, but I just can't make peace with dropping the kids off at OHSC by 7am most mornings and being away from home for 10-11 hrs a day. Also by the time I'd get home most nights the kids would be about 30 mins from bedtime (or in bed on the late)
The national manger was great and very understanding, and said they are very interested and if I change my mind at any point or am even looking in 12 months time for a change to give her a call.
So someone wants me. I just need to find that sweet spot with family balance, it's going to be hard and I've worked out some compromises I'm willing to make but essentially some family balance that I am comfortable with is a biggie.
I feel like a weight has lifted of my shoulders as I really wanted to take it but the thought that kept coming to. E was "the kids are only little once". I know I've made the right decision for my family but don't want to ruin all career options either. Certainly can't have it all can we?

Good advice wysiwyg, I'm going to really target my search better. In all honesty I want to have Dec/Jan off after I finish up at the end of Nov. it will likely be the only time I get the entire school holidays off with the kids. Finding a role early next year is my best case scenario. Fingers crossed!

OP - I had another knock back on Friday, seriously last week was so deflating. I was so low, but I'm realising there is something out there for me, but I need to work out what I am prepared to be flexible on. Your new PM sounds like a bit of a micro manager

Bad - it's hard to keep everyone happy isn't it? Work / Family, all you can do is your best, I hope your little ones are better

Teeki - I always used to enjoy traveling for work pre kids, now it's just a nightmare trying to juggle everything, I have been successfully avoiding it for a number of years now LOL. I was recently asked to go to Melb for a week to train the role they are making redundant here. I used the kids as an excuse as there was no way I was going to put nails in my own coffin so to speak!

**Teeki** · September 30th, 2014, 11:55 PM

MN, bugger about the job! It sounds perfect except for the time away from home, and I'm so glad they're that interested in you and will be keeping you in mind. Fingers crossed you can find something just as good with better hours.

I had an interesting day today and need a little help. We are in the process of selling our investment house and reducing debt. It will mean I don't need to work. But, I was offered a job! It is perfect, with lovely people, a great small business, doing exactly the stuff I like from 9-3 two days a week. DH finishes work at 3 and the kids finish daycare at 3 so it's ideal. So, now I need to resign. That part makes me nervous. My line manager is interstate until Thursday, and then he works in the city an hour away. Is it ok to resign over the phone? What do I do?

**peanutter** · November 16th, 2014, 05:08 PM

Ah. Must've misread!

**krysalyss** · November 16th, 2014, 09:22 PM

Hi guys! Thought I would pop in and maybe join this thread. I used to be on BB all the time but haven't for the last year or so. It sounds like I am in a similar situation to many of you - the main breadwinner, so it will be nice to chat. I have a DS (7) and my husband is the main caregiver at home, and he does some casual work on the side. I work at one of the unis in the UK. Am missing the weather back home!

**wysiwyg** · October 1st, 2014, 02:45 AM

Teeki, I think is fine over phone I have also done by email. The important thing is to notify the method is not important IMO. DH has also done over the phone. Email for me was easy as I was in another country (twice have done this way both in permanent positions). It isn't like breaking up with someone where over phone is a no no. If you were in the office and manager at next desk obviously better in person but as not then phone or email fine.

**Doing my best** · October 1st, 2014, 06:18 AM

Teeki, personally I would give them the courtesy of a phone call, so they know the email is coming.

**Teeki** · October 1st, 2014, 07:58 AM

Yeah I was always going to call him. While this won't necessarily be a surprise, I think saying it in an email would be a bit of a shock. It's just that I'd prefer face to face, but I don't think I can call him to come out here with no reason and then quit. So it'll be a phone call today or tomorrow. Then we work out my last day and I'll put it in writing - that will likely be an email.

**MummyNaomi** · October 1st, 2014, 05:28 PM

Congrats Teeki, that's awesome

And yay For annoying ppl leaving Astrid, they can suck the life right out of u

**wysiwyg** · October 1st, 2014, 08:32 PM

There is an article on Womens Agenda, called the 31 most powerful part-timers. Is a kind of interesting read - although I am not quite sure how they qualify what is part-time - this one for example "three days (7am-4pm) and two days (9am-6pm), with home duties shared with her husband" - how is a 40+ hour week considered part-time?

Reading it further it appears it is actually about flexible working - not really just part-time at all. I have found lots of places are totally ok with flexibility but not so much with part-time - as in less hours a week spent working.

**Teeki** · October 1st, 2014, 08:57 PM

Wow, I'd never consider those hours part time! I like the idea of starting earlier and finishing earlier though, I'd have done that if I could.

Astrid, a big woohoo for a bringer-downer leaving! I think it's amazing how one persons attitude can change an entire workplace. Hopefully now you'll get someone that fits the job and the place a little better.

I spoke to my boss today, so he knows I'll be leaving. I'm so torn! I'm excited to get out of this soul destroying job, but I feel like I've put him in a really crappy position. I'm talking to him again tomorrow and then he's coming out next week. I'm guessing it'll be a standard 4 week notice period so I'll finish end of October. Good timing because then I'll be free to do my and DSs birthday party in November.

**wysiwyg** · October 1st, 2014, 09:08 PM

Wow, I'd never consider those hours part time! I like the idea of starting earlier and finishing earlier though, I'd have done that if I could.

Astrid, a big woohoo for a bringer-downer leaving! I think it's amazing how one persons attitude can change an entire workplace. Hopefully now you'll get someone that fits the job and the place a little better.

I spoke to my boss today, so he knows I'll be leaving. I'm so torn! I'm excited to get out of this soul destroying job, but I feel like I've put him in a really crappy position. I'm talking to him again tomorrow and then he's coming out next week. I'm guessing it'll be a standard 4 week notice period so I'll finish end of October. Good timing because then I'll be free to do my and DSs birthday party in November.

I think flexibility and part-time options are both important and both have their place - but it does concern me when the two are being confused and lumped in together.

I have felt bad about leaving people in a bad position but as DH always remind me they don't think twice about leaving you in a bad position e.g. redundancies etc. when it suits them, he thinks the trick is to think like a business and not an individual and that makes it easier. (Although I think is still hard because I do tend to think of the people e.g. boss etc rather than the company working for)

**Teeki** · October 1st, 2014, 09:22 PM

I have felt bad about leaving people in a bad position but as DH always remind me they don't think twice about leaving you in a bad position e.g. redundancies etc. when it suits them, he thinks the trick is to think like a business and not an individual and that makes it easier. (Although I think is still hard because I do tend to think of the people e.g. boss etc rather than the company working for)

Exactly what my DH said. Mostly because the company decided two peoples jobs could be done by one person, I loved my job until that particular change. But that's the company, not my boss. My boss only started his role at the same time as that change and has been fantastic, he tried getting me part time but couldn't. So I'm happy to leave the company, but still hate putting my boss in a tough position.

**OceanPrincess** · October 2nd, 2014, 10:02 PM

Aww no more emails Teeki?

Nah just kidding, that's great news.

**peanutter** · November 20th, 2014, 08:30 PM

The second part of my review has been pushed back to Monday ... not happy, Jan.

Hopefully it will be worth it!

**nyigi** · November 20th, 2014, 10:56 PM

That's frustrating peanutter. At least Monday isn't very far away. Good luck with it!

**peanutter** · November 22nd, 2014, 11:25 AM

Thanks nyigi

And good luck for the interviews, ladies!!

**peanutter** · January 8th, 2015, 07:22 PM

I work by choice, but because I've always been the breadwinner, it's a necessity.

If I had wanted to be at home with the kids, DH would have supported it, but we would not have bought a house, and our lifestyle would be different.

But that's also probably because we've known for years and years that he wanted to be the child rearer, and I wanted to work ... perhaps if that hadn't been decided so long ago, he'd have gone into a career path which lead to earning more ... who knows?

But I work, and happily work, and then go home to my darlings