I work part time for a reason

[Mikelly1221]

Ditto what everyone else has said and

 

[Angelhalo]

I feel you. At my old job I used to come in at 7am and then leave at 4pm. I was coming in an hour before everyone else but I still working the same amount of hours. Yet when I'd leave at 4 they'd look at me like I was a slacker. Sorry! Boss agreed to it when I started. Maybe if thats what they wanted,t hey should have asked for it too, thats all I did was ask for it when I started and he said no problem!

It did get irritatiing though having them look at me as though I were doing something wrong.

 

[EthansMom]

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.

I totally agree with this. The OP's coworkers' issues should be negatives during THEIR reviews and shouldn't be part of the OP's review.

Also, if the OP's job description is changing (to cover people who are out), then her manager needs to reprioritize her work so that the most important stuff gets done.

Personally, I'd be asking the manager for better guidance regarding job priorities. If other issues kept up, I'd be looking for a different job.

 

[mytwotinks]

I would definately say something to those ladies the next time they referred to my "princess" hours. Maybe, "Yes, it's great! You should quit your full time job and get a part time job like me!" It's not your fault that they need to work full time and you should not be told that you are not allowed to talk about your life. Unless those others are also told that they are no longer allowed to ever mention what they do on their days off and after work. That is really stupid!

I stay home. At this point it's mostly because I have a daughter who is sick for several months at a time. We never know when or how long and we always hope it's not going to happen again, but it just isn't worth the stress of working. We make do. My husband drives a really old Saturn that we bought for under $3000 last year with our tax return. I get lots of comments but I have yet to find someone who thinks that their husband would be willing to sacrifice the way mine does. Not my fault! Just like it's not their fault that my kid has many medical issues.

What is wrong with people?????

 

[Tikitoi]

I'm 20 hours; 4 days a week (and still w/full benefits, since I've started at my Co. FT). And I've noticed when I do leave that when I say bye I almost always get no response. BTW my becoming PT was also due to my DD who has medical issues. It's not so much the ones who have been here, they know me and what's going on, but the new ones. And I explain things to them, when they ask. Some understand, some don't.

 

[Carpenters]

Wow, I never realized that so many others are going through the same kind of thing as I am. I am the only part-timer on day shift at the hospital lab where I work, and I get a lot of grief from my co-workers. I listen to my iPod a lot, and just get my work done. I'm sorry that I can't be friendlier with them, but I'm not going to take a lot of crap about my work schedule. As many of you have said, they wouldn't want my paycheck. I worry a lot more about what is right for my family, and very little about how my co-workers feel about it. Keep your chin up. The job is just a job, and your real life is at home with your family.

 

[ols386]

To the OP, it sounds like you are doing what is best for your family, and that's what matters most. Those people you work with need to mind their own business.

 

[Traveliz]

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.

I agree - but with my sense of humor I would be tempted to start wearing a tiara to work

Liz

 

[MushyMushy]

I think it's a matter of people needing to feel superior to someone. You're just beneath them because you're a lowly parttimer. But what would they do if you weren't there to pick up their slack?

Being a substitute teacher is similar. We're so looked down upon by the very people who need us the most. I'll only work for schools that appreciate their subs.

Have you thought about looking for a job with a nicer environment?

 

[manning]

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

I think the OP's manager needs to sit down with you and learn how to be an effective manager.

 

[Deb & Bill]

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.

Have you thought that your supervisor (who gave your review) might be the one with the concern? Is your supervisor the one who hired you as PT and 20 hours per week with the duties you described (not pool)? If your supervisor is the one who hired you on those terms, maybe the supervisor is questioning that decision. You probably should talk to your supervisor and find out where this is really coming from.

I know we have a couple of PT employees in my office and their days are scheduled as are their duties. One works only mornings, the other two days a week.

 

[Mermaid02]

I don't think it was the supervisor... I think it was someone who requested some time off next week and was denied. I asked for next week off last January. I think some think I shouldn't have time off because I only work 20 hours a week and I don't "need" it.

I also have health concerns of my own (other than my son's) and there's a possibility that I have lupus.

I'm shocked that so many others have the same type of problem. Guess it's just plain old the grass is always greener syndrome.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I used to work 40 hours + but my hours were such that I had one afternoon a week "off".

Even though I worked the sme (and sometimes more) hours than the others, you would not believe how many "must be nice to have the afternoon off EVRY WEEK" comments I got.

I finally had to go back to 8-5 because too many people complained.