In 2008 (the most recent year I could find data for) 44% of moms working full-time outside the home said they’d take a pay cut if it meant they could spend more time with their kids, according to CareerBuilder.com. This is down from a total of 52% of full-time working moms surveyed by CareerBuilder in 2006.
So what is the reason for the decrease from 52% to 44%? Doesn’t every “Full-Time Woman” desire to spend more time with their kids and still have some sort of income?
Well of course, but there are disadvantages to part-time work. What possible downside could there be to part-time work, you ask, especially when so many women are overworked and wanting to leave Corporate America as a result?
Let’s explore . . .
One reason is perception. Once you work part-time, you are perceived by others in your field (peers, colleagues, supervisors, and higher-ups) as not being serious about your career, and/or not willing to put in the long hours and hard work required to get ahead.
And, believe it or not, part-time work often leads to disinterest, disengagement, and lack of fulfillment in a career on the part of the mom. Why? Well once you go from full-time to part-time, there is another progression that takes place. Other things usually (ideally, kids and their activities) fill in the space where the full-time job once was.
But sometimes the Mom finds that part-time work isn’t enough. What does that mean? Well, the structure (or lack of structure) of a part-time job feels like freedom at first! But then the job can become a lower priority than the well-being of the children. The children’s needs and activities are put first and the job becomes a lower priority or even an afterthought. At that point, the Mom realizes that a part-time work solution may in fact not be all it’s cracked up to be.
Typically part-time employees get the worst assignments that are handed down. This happens for two reasons: 1) the person is no longer as visible in the company, and because of this, 2) they miss impromptu meetings and then they are not there to either defend themselves from lesser assignments or to accept the more choice opportunities or say NO to the bad ones.
Eventually, if the part-timer’s actual time spent working goes down from half-time to quarter-time or somewhere in-between, then it can become even more attractive to quit. It is at this point that the Mom can find herself disinterested in the career that she once was passionate about. I have coached many women in this situation. The less you work, the less you feel you are making a contribution or a difference, and then the less important work becomes. So it’s a vicious cycle.
So what is the solution if part-time work is less than ideal?
Do you find yourself or know anyone in this situation?
I would love to hear from you! In the meantime, stay tuned for the answers to these questions and many others . . .
Part time work does not necessarily have to be a Job.
One can work as a freelancer also. Or could have a home business.
This shall perhaps preclude the case of getting second rated work, or dis-respect from peers.
I like this post–very thoughtful. I think that sometimes it depends on your career path or profession. I work as an academic and so my career is based on my work cumulatively over time. So it would be hard for me to work part time in my field and have a career that continues to develop. Of course, working full time makes it hard for me do get everything done!
Thank you for sharing your perspective Kristen! I think many Moms come to the same conclusion – that part-time time isn’t all it’s cracked up to be – for many reasons!