As a working mother, what would you prefer when considering getting back in the job market — full-time employment or working part-time? It is no dispute that working part-time brings many advantages to a working mother’s life -work balance act. Here are the top 5 reasons why women prefer working part-time when re-entering the workforce:
- More energy and less stressed in the evening after a 5-6 hours work day. Evenings are not just the time spent on getting ready for the next work day, but more to be lived in the moment.
- Less money spent on general daycare expenses and after school programs for kids
- More time to enjoy with kids and in helping them with their homework or just finding time to interact with them
- More “me-time”, even before picking up kids from school, you may find time for that half-hour pedicure / manicure or a quick shopping trip without the kids in tow!
- A satisfying feeling of self-accomplishment and outlet to creativity through work as compared to being a full-time stay-at-home mother
If not one the above, what is your reason to work part-time?
An interesting article on San Jose Mercury Newspaper quotes the US Census Bureau Current population survey, 2001-2005; on how many women would want to work part time, why and where.
Women who want to work part-time:
Yes: 65.4 percent
No: 34.5 percent
Of the women working part-time, here’s why:
Couldn’t find full-time job: 19.42 percent
Wanted part-time work: 40.97 percent
Took what they could find: 18.77 percent
Other: 20.84 percent
Couldn’t find full-time job: 19.42 percent
Wanted part-time work: 40.97 percent
Took what they could find: 18.77 percent
Other: 20.84 percent
Among the top part-time occupations, percent of occupation that uses part-time workers:
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance: 37 percent
Food preparation and serving: 33 percent
Sales: 22 percent
Personal Care and service: 20 percent
Education, training and library: 19 percent
Legal: 16 percent
Transportation and material moving: 15 percent
Office and material moving: 15 percent
Office and administrative support: 14 percent
Health care practitioners and technicians: 14 percent
Health care support: 13 percent
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance: 37 percent
Food preparation and serving: 33 percent
Sales: 22 percent
Personal Care and service: 20 percent
Education, training and library: 19 percent
Legal: 16 percent
Transportation and material moving: 15 percent
Office and material moving: 15 percent
Office and administrative support: 14 percent
Health care practitioners and technicians: 14 percent
Health care support: 13 percent