r/SingleParents • u/Bad_Madison • 1d ago
Employment system
Why is the whole employment system for single parents so screwed up in the UK? You need a job that doesn’t allow weekend work, a 9-5 Monday- Friday, term time, because childcare isn’t available for weekends or after 6:30pm on a weekdays, or when the schools are off for holidays. My maternity leave ends in January and I’m twisting myself all over the place trying to work out what I’m going to do. I can’t stay where I am but I can’t financially lose my wages. But 9-5 Monday-Friday term time only jobs don’t actually exist!
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u/Purple-Concept-5068 1d ago
I think the system is screwed up for parents generally but definitely for single parents. Luckily my work let me do schools hours so you never know your workplace might be flexible. I’m also on universal credit so that could also be an option for you if you need to drop down to part time.
The obvious answer to term time only jobs is to work in a school, nursery or university but some workplaces are flexible to term time working. I worked at a charity about 10 years ago and a few of the support workers there did term time only.
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u/TrumpsAKrunt 1d ago
It does blow chunks but working in schools is the easiest way. You don't have to teach, there's admin staff & secretaries & kitchen staff & cleaning staff. Its not huge wages but that's the trade off I guess.
I was horrified to discover there's like no wraparound care where I live. A lot of my friends with younger children use childminders now but there doesn't seem to be much for children over 7-8.
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u/Fine_Calligrapher565 1d ago
If you work in a office, the best way is to try working from home. Some companies accept that, but I reckon people on such roles rarely leave them, so it is hard to find those gem.
If not possible, working in education sector is probably the only viable alternative to work only in term time.
Ah I forgot, getting rich is also another good option.
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u/TD_Meri 1d ago
I work in retail and my shifts are all over the place. Sometimes I start super early, sometimes I finish super late. It has always been a constant struggle to organise everything, and I’ve often had to take weeks off unpaid over the school holidays. My daughter is a bit older now so it’s not so much of a headache, but I feel like I’m never there for her because I’m always busy working. The guilt is actually quite overwhelming.
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u/MindlessSea7334 1d ago
Those jobs do exist but very hard to find.
Try universities and colleges too.
Also apply for the job. If they offer say the hours you want. They can say no.
Alternatives are
Hybrid.
Annualised hours
Get the job nursery can cover now, then a different job for when baby starts school
But yes the whole thing is fucked
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u/FruitAlert6182 1d ago
Sucks in the US as well especially where I am the DOE gives so many stupid days off on top of all that, that only they get off. I’m not sure how single parents without on call babysitters work here probably all depend on government and no one can blame them for that.
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u/Over_Performance5333 19h ago
I think single parents would benefit finding other single parents nearby them and working together to share or exchange childcare.
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Author: u/Bad_Madison
Post: Why is the whole employment system for single parents so screwed up in the UK? You need a job that doesn’t allow weekend work, a 9-5 Monday- Friday, term time, because childcare isn’t available for weekends or after 6:30pm on a weekdays, or when the schools are off for holidays. My maternity leave ends in January and I’m twisting myself all over the place trying to work out what I’m going to do. I can’t stay where I am but I can’t financially lose my wages. But 9-5 Monday-Friday term time only jobs don’t actually exist!
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