CUTTING HOURS OF WORK

RillaofIngleside - so true re getting a new job.
Even more so I think as we age!

I can't understand the negative tone of some if these posts either. It sounds like a good plan. You have thought it through and are looking forward to seeing your grandchild more as well as supporting your partner. You might even find some time for yourself and your friends? The only thing I would be careful about is leaving work and living on savings while looking for another job. In my experience it's always easier to get a job when you already have one, so I would apply for other jobs before you resign. It's not always easy to replace savings and you might need them for a comfortable retirement. Good luck.

Lots of good advice here but can’t understand the negative posts. The OP is obviously a loving partner and mother, she takes care of her partner and looks forward to being part of her new grandchild’s life when her daughter returns to work.
I hope your employer can agree to a reduction in your hours and that you and your partner are able to spend many happy hours enjoying the new little one.

I think you might also be able to get a reduction in your council tax if there is two of you and one is being cared for. Look into it

I felt 2 months gave them plenty of time to find someone to fill my day . And I’m glad your boss has been good

Tenko

Have a discussion with your boss . Several years ago I cut my days from 4 to 3 because my mum was needing care. My boss was fine with it and I gave 2 months notice . I’m assuming your boss knows you’re a carer for your DH .
Age uk are very good concerning benefits and what’s available in your area .

Yes, my Boss does and has been very good. Now interestingly, same as you, a close friend has suggested a two months prior request to cut hours.

silverlining48

Have you discussed this with your daughter? Your partner?
If your partner needs care which is increasing I would hold back on deciding until much closer to the time of the birth.
Dont take on too much at the outset as redundant cling it Kater is hard to do as once it has started it’s expected.
Carers allowance is only for those under retirement age and isn’t very much.
Congratulations on the new baby. 👶

Many thanks Silverlining, I won't be taking on very much at all re Baby. My Daughter will be a SAHM for some considerable time which is good.

mabon1

Your partner comes first no matter if you cut your hours. Your daughter is very selfish IF she expects you to look after them as we as your poorly partner. Why would you put a perfectly health woman and partner before your partner, I just don't understand you at all.

I think you've slightly misconstrued my post, my partner is my first call for care and IF MY DAUGHTER NEEDS SOME HELP I shall be delighted to help if she asks, in no way are either her or partner "presuming" I shall be helping.

The first thing to do is talk to your manager they may want the request in writing. I cut my hours down for about a year just before I retired. I stopped working on Fridays. I was very lucky that my team were all happy with the arrangement.

It might also be really useful for you to speak to ACAS, they have a helpline.

I’ve done this. My DD had my first grandchild 4 months ago. I’m reducing week to 4 days and next January when DD goes back to work GC will be with me for the day. DD loves this plan. Her MIL has always been a SAHM and will also have GC 1 day pw.

Yes, you have our permission to discuss possibilities with your employer! Beyond that, our opinions are not particularly useful.

Your partner comes first no matter if you cut your hours. Your daughter is very selfish IF she expects you to look after them as we as your poorly partner. Why would you put a perfectly health woman and partner before your partner, I just don't understand you at all.

You work, carefora partner whose needs are increasing and you are considering helping out your DD when baby arrives. Even though you do reduce employment hours,with the potential increase in needs of your partner where do the "spare" hours come from to help DD?

If Carers Allowance isn't an option your DH could possibly claim Attendance Allowance if he is in receipt of the State pension.

As someone already said, before you do anything go to Citizens Advice and get a benefit check. Depending on age you may be able to get carers allowance or your partner attendance allowance. Also they will check to see what the optium hours you can work before benefits reduce. You will need to know all your financial information such as council tax, savings, rent or mortgage payments etc for an accurate calculation. Then you can decide whether to ask your employer for reduced hours and what they would be best for you.

Carers Allowance is only for those who are not receiving state pension , providing you are not earning more than £196 per week after deductions. However, the person you are caring for needs to be receiving one of the disability related benefits themselves (PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance etc) and you need to be caring for them for more than 35 hours a week. All the information you need is on the gov.uk website.

As far as Carers Allowance goes, you are allowed to work but must not earn more than £196 a week after tax, national insurance contributions and half of any pension contributions you make. You cannot claim this though if you are on the state pension or any other benefits. You must also be a carer for at least 35 hours a week.

I cut my hours to look after my grandchild one day a week when my DiL went back to work after her maternity leave ended as to be fair the parents wanted to be with the grandchild as much as possible before they were back at work so my services weren’t needed as much beforehand. I simply asked my manager in advance and he okayed it - I’d get this in writing though as when it came to the time to do it he then said he’d never agreed to it and it was a fight to do it but I won in the end

Have a discussion with your boss . Several years ago I cut my days from 4 to 3 because my mum was needing care. My boss was fine with it and I gave 2 months notice . I’m assuming your boss knows you’re a carer for your DH .
Age uk are very good concerning benefits and what’s available in your area .

I had a chat with my boss last year when I wanted to reduce my hours. The company were very good and my boss told me she’d rather have me some of the time rather than none. Which was lovely to hear. I eventually did retire early about 6 months later as my heart just wasn’t it.

Why would your daughter and her partner need help? If you are going to commit to them then what would happen when your partner needs more help from you.

Sorry OP I didn’t spot your latest response.

Reducing it later …..

Have you discussed this with your daughter? Your partner?
If your partner needs care which is increasing I would hold back on deciding until much closer to the time of the birth.
Dont take on too much at the outset as redundant cling it Kater is hard to do as once it has started it’s expected.
Carers allowance is only for those under retirement age and isn’t very much.
Congratulations on the new baby. 👶