Going back to work

If you’re financially sound, why does he want you to go to work?

After taking redundancy from my previous job, I did the four years until I reached state pension age as a checkout operator in Waitrose, a couple of evenings and Saturday mornings. I really enjoyed it. They don’t pay well but you get discount at Waitrose and John Lewis, and they’re probably better employers than most supermarkets. Otherwise what about a small local delicatessen or similar?

Modern employers recognise that your skills are immediately transferable - be proud of your organisational, timekeeping, reliability and adaptive skills gained whilst undertaking 'home maker' duties!
Please don't devalue or underestimate your skills and employability my dear.
You never phoned in sick or had a duvet day with a hangover for over 20 years - you are reliable, mature and dependable.
Have a look online about how to compile and construct your CV to highlight and showcase these sought after skills.
Having your CV prepared and ready will allow you to apply online for advertised opportunities or even speculatively send out / email to potential employers.
You could print out copies and hand them out in person to independent outlets locally - cafe, bakery, garden centre, etc.
Use online jobs boards like Indeed, Monster, Total Jobs,etc. to hunt for opportunities in your area.
You can also use Google - search 'jobs in Sheffield' or wherever you live and see if anything appeals.
Would you like to work in retail, catering, housekeeping, hospitality or office based roles .... Think positive (if you want to go to work of course) and have confidence - The world is your lobster Rodney.
Good luck and let us all know how you get on 😘

I've noticed that several supermarkets I frequent have older assistants - many of them definitely older than you are now. I make for their check-outs rather than the d-i-y ones. Mostly they are taking on these jobs on a part-time basis, more to get out of the house rather than for any financial need. If you enjoy reading and would be happy to volunteer, local libraries might welcome your assistance.

Ilovecheese

Your husband should not expect you to return to work without any preparation, you have looked after him and the children when it suited him, and no doubt given up opportunities for rewarding work. He will have to be patient now.

I agree entirely.

For some 25 years?

GrannyGravy13

Biscuitmuncher

Theexwife I finished work 2 months before my first was born

You have been doing the hardest and most rewarding job on the planet, raising your children, keeping your house and supporting your husband.

Only do what you are comfortable with.

I agree

Your husband should not expect you to return to work without any preparation, you have looked after him and the children when it suited him, and no doubt given up opportunities for rewarding work. He will have to be patient now.

Biscuitmuncher

Theexwife I finished work 2 months before my first was born

You have been doing the hardest and most rewarding job on the planet, raising your children, keeping your house and supporting your husband.

Only do what you are comfortable with.

All our local supermarkets seem to employ a large number of older people in various roles - customer service, on the tills, stacking shelves etc. Perhaps you could make some enquiries with any big stores near where you live to see if they encourage older workers to apply. I know that DIY chains do have a policy of prioritising more mature applicants.

I have worked in a supermarket when my children were very small and the training was very thorough. I did evenings and weekends, with all the students!

Biscuitmuncher how about volunteering for a charity shop even if it is just one day a week. They train you on their tills etc and you will soon be in the swing of it again.
Then apply for the some paid jobs perhaps in retail settings that appeal.
I have found the bigger chains more inclusive with a wide variety of age groups from 16 up all learning together.
Don’t be afraid, you can do this and you might find you like it😉

When the children were younger he preferred you to be at home - but how old are they now? IMO you should be earning money and not expecting your husband to pay for everything.

Unless you assist your husband with his business, whatever do you do all day? Maybe your husband wanted you to be at home when the children were young but now (not unreasonably) expects you to make a financial contribution as everything has fallen on his shoulders all these years.

Sorry their children.

Poppyred

Do you want to go out to work Biscuitmuncher? Surely it’s up to you not your husband?

Yes, particularly as he persueded her to turn down jobs to look after his children.

Do you want to go out to work Biscuitmuncher? Surely it’s up to you not your husband?

It would help towards your NI contributions for your pension. Although you may have enough to qualify if CB was in your name under HPR. Also you were in your 30's when you first had children.
I know alot of the larger retail outlets have older employees. Also what about the hospitality industry.

Theexwife Germanshepherdsmum thing is he was more than happy to have me at home and made me turn down job offers when the children were younger, so now it feels daunting

I agree that it’s fair you should now contribute financially as your children must all be adults and you don’t say that you are helping your husband in his business.

I would imagine it would not be difficult to get shop work at your age.

How many qualifying years’ NI payments do you have?

I can see how daunting this would be after not working for so long, maybe you could start by working part time to start with, most retailers will offer 16 hrs, some supermarkets start at 12 hours.

It does seem fair that your husband wants you to financially contribute whilst you still can, maybe he wants to stop working or reduce his hours.

It is 25 years since more or less since you have been in the workplace? I would find out if there are any courses about returning to work in your area, look into return to work initiative ask at the job centre or local library. These return to work initiative often have job placements with local employers which cuts out the need for CV's application forms and sometimes interviews.

I think large supermarkets take older staff, there must also be loads of carework available.. look online and see what jobs are advertised..

Theexwife I finished work 2 months before my first was born

Do you mean that you have not worked since before your children were born?

Are you near to any towns where there might be shop work you could travel to?
If you worked in a shop you will customer service skills that can be transferred to different environments. Could you investigate customer service rolls that you could do from home on the phone or over facetime or zoom etc.
What about booking a session with a careers advisor or coach, I am willing to bet you have a lot of skills that you learned while you were a stay at home parent that you don't even realise that you have. A careers coach can tease these out of you and give you confidence, they can also guide you towards jobs that you might not of thought of, or that didn't exist when you last worked.