I work part time for a reason

[Mermaid02]

I work 20 hours per week. I have an 11 year old with some issues and when I started working my husband and I decided 20 hours would be the maximum. I recently had my review and was told that others in the office feel I should cover the full time employees time off- that's what the "pool" positions are for and I am not pool. I also should not talk about having days off as it creates "hard feelings" amongst the women who work 40 hours per week. ***? Are you KIDDING me? I have a dry sarcastic humor and I have already stopped that as I was told that some (2 I believe) coworkers felt I thought it was "funny" when I had to be out of work with my special needs child. Believe me, I only laugh so I don't cry. My child is most likely bipolar and our home is not tranquil by any means. When I am out with him, (FMLA) I take it without pay and that hurts- but it's nobody's business.

Thanks for letting me vent. I need to get past what other people think- but as the time goes by I'm going from hurt to angry.

 

[chyam]

Although I do not work 20 hours a week, it is the same at my workplace, it always seems the others think "your" grass is greener, FMLA is for a reason and it was put in place to help you and others in time of need without the fear of losing your job simply because you have issues that affect your family....no one chooses to have those issues, and it seems that the others who are lucky enough not to have to have FMLA think those that do are spending the day at the beach or taking time off to go shopping!
My advice to you......don't listen to it, go to work, do your job and socialize as little as possible with those people, they are what are called "toxic relationships" they will talk about anyone and everything! You know what your job is, you know what your hours are, and if it is a problem I am sure your superiors would be speaking to you if they needed you to work more hours etc. I have learned more and more each year to be more like a duck and let it all roll off my back. The world is full of these people and I refuse to let them bother me for doing what I am supposed to be doing.

 

[MAKmom]

 

[Mermaid02]

Although I do not work 20 hours a week, it is the same at my workplace, it always seems the others think "your" grass is greener, FMLA is for a reason and it was put in place to help you and others in time of need without the fear of losing your job simply because you have issues that affect your family....no one chooses to have those issues, and it seems that the others who are lucky enough not to have to have FMLA think those that do are spending the day at the beach or taking time off to go shopping!
My advice to you......don't listen to it, go to work, do your job and socialize as little as possible with those people, they are what are called "toxic relationships" they will talk about anyone and everything! You know what your job is, you know what your hours are, and if it is a problem I am sure your superiors would be speaking to you if they needed you to work more hours etc. I have learned more and more each year to be more like a duck and let it all roll off my back. The world is full of these people and I refuse to let them bother me for doing what I am supposed to be doing.

That is good advice- thank you. When people talk about my "Princess hours" I always tell them, "You wouldn't like my paycheck" I think there is some jealousy because I don't have to work 40 hours per week. It's about choices really, we drive a 2001 and a 2002 vehicles.... we live in an older home (in a nice neighborhood, but not a fancy new subdivision) and we don't eat out much. I skipped the office Christmas party- for precisely the reason you stated. I need to keep my head down, do my job and take care of my family.

 

[Cindy B]

Been there, done that. I used to work for a CHRISTIAN university about 10-15 hours a week. I started the job at 10 hours per week supporting two assessment counselors and the other hours were added helping the dean with projects, marketing dept., and MIS dept.

Anyway, I always got flak for my "hours" as well. I basically worked 2.5-3 hours a day, 5 days a week. It is what fit with my child in half day preschool and half day kindergarten. My paycheck was the lowest in the building but that didn't matter.

I got a lot done in that 2-3 hours and really didn't socialize because well, I had a lot to do in those 2-3 hours. I did my work and OTHER PEOPLES in that time span so it made the other workers look "lazy". Then the other workers began talking about me behind my back, and complaining that I had "princess hours" as well.

 

[mommasita]

I also work about that. I do 3 days a week, and will help out others when they seem desperado. They help me too, so it is all good.

I have been asked to do more, but never felt pressured into it. It was the condition upon my hiring, and I am keeping up my end of the bargain.

You are doing a great job

 

[anniemae]

People can be really bitter. I once worked at a company and due to unforseen circumstances, my boss allowed me to work from 7-3 instead of 9-5. Well, at 3:00 when I was packing up my stuff to go, I got all kinds of dirty looks and comments. I couldn't believe it, I was actually working the SAME number of hours, just coming in earlier. People just saw that I was taking off 2 hours earlier.

I think they thought I was going to the spa or home to watch soaps or something! NOT! I actually got more done in the two hours I worked without everyone there to bug me and gossip! It made me so uncomfortable that I eventually changed back to 9-5, it just wasn't worth the guilt they made me feel.

In your case however, you were hired for 20 hours, so I wouldn't feel bad. Just do as others said, keep your head down and work your assigned hours. The full timers will just have to deal with it. Eventually when they will get tired of complaining about it.

 

[OceanAnnie]

That is good advice- thank you. When people talk about my "Princess hours" I always tell them, "You wouldn't like my paycheck" I think there is some jealousy because I don't have to work 40 hours per week. It's about choices really, we drive a 2001 and a 2002 vehicles.... we live in an older home (in a nice neighborhood, but not a fancy new subdivision) and we don't eat out much. I skipped the office Christmas party- for precisely the reason you stated. I need to keep my head down, do my job and take care of my family.

That little group sounds charming. It's okay for them to say whatever they want to you, but you have to watch what you say because they'll complain? That's nuts. I'd have a hard time keeping a low profile around people like that, as in one way.

You do have a good attitude about it. You can't change them. Just limit the information they get. When you hear them talking about you and/or your hours I'd be tempted to say, "That's between me and the boss. That's none of your business. But if you'd like to share your business with everyone feel free.". I'd be tempted, don't know that I'd do it.

 

[JB111107]

People can be really bitter. I once worked at a company and due to unforseen circumstances, my boss allowed me to work from 7-3 instead of 9-5. Well, at 3:00 when I was packing up my stuff to go, I got all kinds of dirty looks and comments. I couldn't believe it, I was actually working the SAME number of hours, just coming in earlier. People just saw that I was taking off 2 hours earlier.

I think they thought I was going to the spa or home to watch soaps or something! NOT! I actually got more done in the two hours I worked without everyone there to bug me and gossip! It made me so uncomfortable that I eventually changed back to 9-5, it just wasn't worth the guilt they made me feel.

In your case however, you were hired for 20 hours, so I wouldn't feel bad. Just do as others said, keep your head down and work your assigned hours. The full timers will just have to deal with it. Eventually when they will get tired of complaining about it.

That's what I do here. It works out better for us since we have to keep strange schedules to accomodate visitation, schools, etc. between my kids and their dad. I come in to work at 6am and leave between 2-3pm. I'm a morning person anyway so it works well for me, and I don't have to constantly take off work for doctor appts, etc. as I can schedule them after I'm already off work.

 

[luvpooh]

this is so common in my office. People get bitter b/c they think other people have it better than they do, but often nobody but you and your manager know the true circumstances.

I did hear that in my state FMLA will be paid starting mid-2009, I wonder if that is common in other states or will be more widespread in the future.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

That is just crazy! You work with some weird people. I have worked jobs where I have been full-time, and they have had part-time workers working next to me. Why would I be jealous of someone part-time? It is not like they are working 20 hours and getting paid for 40 hours! WTH? I knew my paycheck was much bigger than theirs, not to mention the benifits I got that they didn't get. They didn't get paid time off, I did. Why would I be jealous of that?

Some of the people you work with need to work in a job where you have to earn your way to full-time position by working part-time for years.

Sorry you have to deal with this crap.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I've noticed people will be jealous over anything! I had one person comment to me how unfair they thought it was for me to have my office lights dimmed. I mean, really...you can be jealous over that?!

I agree with everyone else, just focus on doing your work. Try not to let the green eyed monsters that work around you have a negative effect on you - it's not worth it.

 

[jmskinner]

If you were in TX, I would think you may be working in my old office. I never would quit because I figured I would never find any other place that paid as well and would let me off when my DS was having issues (even though I always made up the time). We eventually moved and I had to quit, but I wish I had sooner. My stress level is much better now.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

People get jealous. I had two things I dealt with when I worked.
The first was an agreement when I was hired that I worked 8a to 4pm since I had such a long communte. When people would see me leave, they would make rude comments and say I wasn't working very hard when in fact I didn't spend my day visiting with other people and worked my tush off to be able to do this.

I was a Superviser and one of the women I hired had an autistic son. We worked out an agreement so she worked a shorter schedule so she could be off for his appointments and whatever else was needed.

It was signed off on by my Boss as required by the company. Well, I get a new Boss who was not so understanding and I always had to stand up for her and pull out the written agreement. This went on at least once a month for 2 years.

Well, when I quit, they didn't replace my position and it became a nightmare for her. She finally found another job who said it wouldn't be a problem and she left. (I keep in touch with her and one other person from that job.)

Well now she's having the same issues with her new job. New Boss who doesn't want to honor the agreement - the problem now is that it was all verbal so she doesn't even have anything in writing and she hasn't been able to find a new job to get away from the situation.

So hugs to you - I've seen how hard it can be.

 

[ckay87]

That is good advice- thank you. When people talk about my "Princess hours" I always tell them, "You wouldn't like my paycheck" I think there is some jealousy because I don't have to work 40 hours per week. It's about choices really, we drive a 2001 and a 2002 vehicles.... we live in an older home (in a nice neighborhood, but not a fancy new subdivision) and we don't eat out much. I skipped the office Christmas party- for precisely the reason you stated. I need to keep my head down, do my job and take care of my family.

I could have written that. I've been part time since my boys were born. They are now 12 and 16 and I'm still part time (because I still like to keep an eye on them). In fact, like you, we work very hard to make that work financially. I always had the comments like when I walked out the door at 2:30 people would say "oh, must be nice." And I'd think, "oh your 4,000 square foot mansion and brand new car must be nice, but I don't SAY it." I have a 20 (now 30) hour workweek and a 1,600 square foot split level with 2 used cars. It's nobody's business, but it is frustrating to hear those things isn't it?

 

[kirbydog48]

Oh, I'm so sorry you have to deal with these lovely people. I too am a mom to a child with "issues" and gave up my work 2 yrs ago because ds was about to be dismissed from the after school program and it just wasn't worth it. If people could just walk in our shoes for a day, maybe they'd have more compassion and be a tad less judgmental.

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

Do you work with me?
Just kidding. But the company I work has had in the past people working short days. We have always had other make remarks.
For two years I had a women work for me only 20 hours a week. She was great. At a deparment meeting a couple of others workers chimed in to complain. So I told them that they need to worry about what they are doing and not what anyone else is doing. I also told them that for now on if they had an issue with her working 20 hours then they no longer needed the help she gives them and I would offer her help to others.
That ended that whole issue.

I would say do not keep your head down. Raise your head and do your job and tell them to not worry about what you do worry about themself

 

[okeydokey]

I work 20 hours a week too. Some people will say things like "Must be nice to get to leave now." My reply, "it's nice now, not so nice on payday but it's a trade off that works for me." You are doing the right thing for your family!

 

[MerMom60_94]

What is wrong with your manager???? Your manager should be defending you and only bringing this up if he / she has a problem with the arrangements. If this is the case it should be brought up and discussed and resolved long before a review. Your managers lack of a backbone and diplomacy is going to cause a wedge between the workers in your workplace and that can't be good for anyone.

As for your co-workers, if they feel they want to work part-time rather than full-time and can afford it then they need to go for it but they can't make that into an issue about you. If you were to leave tomorrow or go full-time it wouldn't change their situation so what's it to them? Also, in this down economy I would think your employer would be greatful to not have to pay an extra 20 hours to make you fulltime. Sheesh!!

 

[Mkrop]

I work 20 hours a week too. Some people will say things like "Must be nice to get to leave now." My reply, "it's nice now, not so nice on payday but it's a trade off that works for me." You are doing the right thing for your family!

I got this all the time when I worked PT, and I finally started chiming back and yes my paycheck reflects that.