Don’t want to work fulltime?
What are the pros and cons of going part time?
If you’re a fulltime worker you may be considering joining the multitude of Aussie part-timers, and having more time to do what really matters to you.
Maybe you’re a parent who wants to spend more time with your family, an executive who wants to put an end to too-long hours at the office or perhaps you’re working your way towards retirement and just want more fun and less work.
You’re in good company. With over 35% of its workforce working in part-time and temporary roles or self-employed, Australia has one of the highest rates of non-fulltime workers in the world.i And many of them earn more per hour than their fulltime colleagues.i
Is it the right choice for you?
Changing the way you work is a big decision. The idea of a shorter week and more time to do the things you really want to do are appealing. But part-time work comes with upsides and downsides.
Here are some things to consider:
Stay on track financially
Work out whether you’ll be able to afford to live on less income and if you’ll need to make any lifestyle cuts. Tally your ongoing expenses and be sure to earn more than you need so you’ll be able to stay ahead financially and put some money away for any unexpected costs.
If you’re cutting your hours on the job you’re likely to receive less income. But it doesn’t stop there. Your employer super contributions will also reduce so you’ll need to look ahead and make sure your decision to go part time won’t mean you’ll be living in poverty in retirement.
What will you do?
Working part time means you’ll have more time and a relatively new lifestyle. This may be welcome news and an exciting prospect. But before you have extra time on your hands, work out exactly how you’ll spend your time. That way you’ll set up good habits from the get go and be able to make the most of the extra time you have.
Beware two part-time pitfalls
Some part-time workers say that even though they’re going to work less often, their workload doesn’t reduce. So make sure that if you’re cutting your days from five to four you don’t end up doing the same amount of work and just working longer days.
And according to researchii, a part-time worker can be less likely to receive a promotion or training opportunities because they’re seen as less committed than their fulltime colleagues.
How can we help?
Come and chat with us before taking the plunge and working less. We can help you make the most of your money and make sure you’re setting yourself up for a sustainable future so you have more time to do the things that really matter to you.
