Working Mummies Support Group #2

**wysiwyg** · May 21st, 2014, 01:21 PM

I am on a course, is a bit annoying because is mainly to get the qualification and not much real learning, which although I know this helped get me next job I still resent it a bit. Plus am agro about DD school next year being crap at communication. Anyway I osteo for me later hopefully they will snap me out of it.

**Teeki** · May 21st, 2014, 03:03 PM

Fingers crossed for you MN that you can stay until your anniversary date.

Bugger about the course wysiwyg. I have a feeling when I go back I'll have plenty of catch up training to do, things change so quickly.

The call went well. I'm feeling so lucky that this organisation is so supportive and flexible. It sounds as though there's not really any fte available for me to go back to my job part time. Because the idea was that they'd keep the guy doing my maternity leave full time and I'd be extra. They can't get anyone to job share with me and it's not very realistic. So worst case is I go back 5 days and keep looking elsewhere, but my boss going to put a case to his manager.

Other options are to go back to what I used to do. Easy enough to do part time and should be able to keep the same pay level. Or could switch to a different business unit, with a similar role. I reckon I'd actually like that, change is good

I was up front with him and said I'd love to continue my current job part time, but if I have to change jobs I'd probably welcome a little less responsibility and the ability to leave to pick up sick kids when needed. Also told him that any job change for me unfortunately comes down to money - I have childcare to pay for and a big pay cut is no good. He has 3 kids and his wife has been in this exact spot so he's awesome and he gets it.

I'm his first employee to come back from maternity leave so he's going to look up all the policies and see what is supposed to happen with offering different roles, if that happens.

**Mother Goose** · May 21st, 2014, 05:53 PM

Good luck Teeki. Hope you get what you need xo
Wysiwyg, I'm the same at the moment. Doing a course to get a piece of paper to formalize something I've been doing for years. Some days it is a bit of a joke - but I just sit and relish my day out of the office.

I'm still around. Resenting some stuff at work. But trying to keep my eye on the end goal. Planning some leave in July. Hanging out for that.

**Astrid** · May 22nd, 2014, 12:53 PM

Hey Ladies, sorry been a bit quiet in this thread lately.

Still dealing with the cultural changes. Thought it would be settle by now, but my gut is saying that change is still in progress. Money is getting tight amongst our clients, so we are looking at ways to get more money, whereas I just think get rid of dead wood. The hard thing is being part-time, they look first at dropping hours of part-timers before a full-time, even if they came on last and add less value to the business. The socialisation aspect is a real issue. Tired of feeling like I am less valued as I am not FB friends with half of them and don't constantly give my opinion on what the boss is posting, or inviting him over for dinner.

I just feel something drastic needs to happen and then it will settle into a known vibe. Hoping the drastic thing is nothing to do with me

**Jaycee** · May 22nd, 2014, 01:40 PM

I'm not one for socialising either Astrid, so I feel your pain. I'm also in a company that has had numerous redundancies over the past couple of years, and it doesn't appear to be over. DH also works for the same company so it gets scary sometimes to think we could both be out of a job!

On a personal note, I'm really struggling to cope with the work/life balance thing at the moment. I work 4 days a week, with a 1 hour commute each way by the time I drop the boys off to school / childcare, or my mum's who is wonderful and has my boys 3 days out of the 4! I'm out of the house a minimum of 10 hours a day, sometimes u to 12, and that's tough on me and my beautiful boys.

I'm alway time poor, when I get home the priority is dinner and showers for the boys. Most weeks I forget to help DS1 with his reading/homework at least 1 or 2 days a week, that makes me feel like the world's worst mum because his education should be my number one priority! I struggle with the housework, DS1 is always sad on OHSC days (but is always happy when I pick him up, it's just getting him there that's the problem). I hate being so far away from DS1 when he's at school and I'm at work

Well, that feels a little better getting this off my chest. I've been desperately looking for a job closer to home with more suitable hours, however' they're very scarce and when the opportunities come up, the market is flooded with applicants.

**MummyNaomi** · May 22nd, 2014, 11:08 PM

I'm also in a company that has had numerous redundancies over the past couple of years, and it doesn't appear to be over. DH also works for the same company so it gets scary sometimes to think we could both be out of a job.

Same Jaycee, except I am being made redundant and eventually it's likely my DH will too. It's becoming more and more obvious the company we work for has no plans to keep a presence in Adelaide, I just hope I get sorted with a new job before DH is impacted.

**MummyNaomi** · May 24th, 2014, 11:02 PM

Okay, so I've decided to take control of an uncontrollable situation. There is an internal role going that I would be perfect for. Its the same pay, doing core hours, no longer managing people (this is appealing to me) and its more of a project/campaign role - lots of analysis, developing campaigns, engaging staff to deliver etc etc - my forte and stuff I'm brilliant at. It's at the same location I currently am, but its full time. Being that I've just gone full time until the redundancy kicks in and the reality of finding a part time gig externally paying the money I currently earn is low, its a compromise I can deal with. While I know that there is risk of future redundancy a few years down the track, it potentially gives me security and flexibility in the interim until my youngest starts school, no long commute, family friendly hours, with the potential for work from home opportunities (some of this team already do this part of the time). Project and non customer facing roles have a higher likelihood of redundancy, but if I was made redundant in a few years time, I'd be no worse off than I am now. AND I'd have a whole new skill set and experience to add to my resume! All of a sudden I'm excited again.

Based on where we are in our life now, family/work life balance is a very high priority, this gives me the opportunity to maintain that. The negative - It means more childcare hours for DD which isn't ideal, but being that I am right across the road and our commute is only 10 mins its minimised as much as possible.

Applications close Monday. My cover letter and resume is done, just getting it proof read etc before submitting and have emailed the Manager of this role hoping to catch up Monday for a coffee to chat about the role..... Wish me luck!!

**sahbear** · May 25th, 2014, 10:22 PM

Good luck MN!!

**Jaycee** · May 27th, 2014, 08:04 PM

Well, I've finally had some luck come my way! I've been offered a job, permanent part time 25 hours per week, 15 hours in the office and 10 from home. The 15 hours are to be done over 3 days, the other 10 whenever I feel like it! DH and I discussed it at length tonight and I'm accepting the offer!

I'm so excited and nervous at the same time, I've been working for the same company for almost 9 years so it's a bit of a risk for us, but definitely one that will be a huge benefit to our family if it works out! Woohoo!

**peanutter** · June 16th, 2014, 08:13 PM

Oh dear ...

Yes, on my first day, there was nothing ready ... no desk set up, no computer ... by mid morning I had a file and a secretary and a dictaphone, by the end of the day I had a phone and a computer!

I hope tomorrow is better

Are you doing Mon Tues Wed?

**Mother Goose** · May 27th, 2014, 08:50 PM

Fantastic Jaycee! Congratulations!

**wysiwyg** · May 27th, 2014, 10:18 PM

Great news Jaycee! Very exciting - the 15 over three days especially seems good, not having to do a 7.5 hour day in the office seems particularly useful to me.

**Frangipani Lou** · June 9th, 2014, 09:26 PM

Good luck MN. Waiting sucks!

There is big positive change at work in a few weeks and I'm really excited about it. Feeling more optimistic already after a stressful time so far this year.

**OceanPrincess** · June 10th, 2014, 08:58 AM

Lol thanks wysiwyg. I'm finding lots to look forward to already plus the benefit of REGULAR INCOME!!!!

It was just a huge mental shift for me and took ages to get myself used to the idea but I'm pretty good now.

You're not in the CBD, are you?

**wysiwyg** · June 10th, 2014, 09:11 AM

Lol thanks wysiwyg. I'm finding lots to look forward to already plus the benefit of REGULAR INCOME!!!!

It was just a huge mental shift for me and took ages to get myself used to the idea but I'm pretty good now.

You're not in the CBD, are you?

No unfortunately not - I am working in Broadmeadows - I come up your way and round the ring road - when I drive to work - it would be a good commute for you :-)

I am finding this job is having positive affects at home - I am in a sorting mania and getting far more organised round the home. I think I get in a real slump when am just at home (it would be different I think if I knew I was at home long term, but at home and job hunting I think is not a good combination for me).

Daycare fees are going up though :-( - DS will now be 115 a day and DD 110 a day (when paying full fees) - from July. It used to be the disincentive to work kicked in at more than 3 days a week - due to the CCR limit, but is getting to be more like after 2 days a week now. The place they are at is fantastic, but the limit on the CCR is a killer.

**~TT40~** · June 10th, 2014, 10:07 AM

Yea we can only afford 2 days a week care max. Our is going up...but only by $2 a day, and still heaps.cheaper than the big cities (will be 85 a day here).
Spock has only in the last few months started enjoying care tho, took months for her to not cry at drop off and pickup, all the photos they took of her she looked so miserable =( bit now she is happy to go and is laughing and smiling in all the photos =) deffinently makes it easier.
Whats happening to master B qhen you go back OP?

**Astrid** · June 10th, 2014, 12:31 PM

Vacation care has gone up as well. Just trying to sort out what we are booking these holidays. Thankfully DH is going to take a couple of leave days and a friend will help out on another, so they wont be in care the whole time.

Found out some interesting info on the weekend, the main trouble maker at work, also caused trouble at her last place of work. Does not look like my boss did his proper resume and reference checks. So now we are all suffering and he is too blind to see it

Anyway, today is a sick day. DD1 is not well and I am coming down with a cold. Bad timing for work, but these things happen.

**Frangipani Lou** · June 10th, 2014, 10:17 PM

Welcome OP xo

Our FDC is going up too from about $89- $92 and that's for up to 10 hours. It's more expensive than others in the area which are as low as $65 a day before CCB and CCR.

I have a swollen throat :-( I think I caught if from one of the children at work today. I hope I won't need time off as ive only got 7 sick days left until may 2015.