5 Reasons Not to Opt for That Part-Time Job

If you're an exhausted working mom, it's easy to look at friends working part-time jobs and think they've got it made. The world of part-time jobs, you think, would let you finally have enough time for your family, household management, and a career.

But before you jump into a less-than-full-time position, think seriously about the negative side of part-time jobs before you get trapped. Not every negative listed below is true of every part-time job, but being aware of the downsides can help you avoid them.

Part-Time Workers Earn Less per Hour

Believe it or not, many employers give workers in part-time jobs disproportionately smaller pay and benefits packages. They figure the flexibility of being able to fill a part-time job outweighs the hit that you take as an employee. Many employers don't give all health, retirement and other benefits to part-time workers which will cost you.

Moreover, you often step off the path to promotions when you reduce your hours and commitment, which also reduces your earning power. Ultimately, you feel the hit through a lower per-hour package of pay and benefits.

You May Work More Hours Than Predicted

It's difficult enough to squeeze a meaningful career into 40 hours a week—much less into 16, 24 or 32 hours. Your colleagues forget that you're not at work on Wednesday and call your mobile number for help. Or you take home a project, aiming to put in a single hour, but end up working all night.

Before taking on a part-time position, be brutally honest with yourself and your supervisor about how many hours will truly be needed to get the job done right. Also, you'll need to get proficient at setting boundaries.

You Miss out on Career Opportunities

Perhaps the most obvious negative of part-time jobs is losing out on high-profile projects, assignments or trips. Sometimes superiors take you out of the loop—which you can combat by seeking out these opportunities and making it clear you'll still do a first-rate job. But sometimes the most exciting professional challenges simply aren't compatible with the schedule and lifestyle you've chosen.

Console yourself with the thought that after your children are grown, you can return to the hard-hitting career you loved. And discuss with your supervisor a path to promotions and advancement that is compatible with the current metabolism of your work.

Child Care May Not Fit Your Needs

If your child is a baby, it may be hard to find a daycare center or provider willing to work part-time, when you have to go to your job. But if you have an older child, you may also face difficulty finding work that fits into your child's school schedule.

Then there are the inevitable school closings and sick days to juggle. Bottom line: the timing of child care can be difficult for part-time workers, leaving you either paying for more care than you use, or scrambling to fill in the gaps.

You May Feel Left out

One of the biggest complaints of part-time working moms is that they feel like they don't fit in with the working moms and they don't fit in with the stay-at-home moms. Yes, you do have more free time, but that doesn't mean you can volunteer for every school project and chaperone every field trip. You still have job responsibilities and likely more childcare duties than the average working mom.

On the other hand, you may catch resentful glances from full-time working mothers who assume that your life is easy and stress-free. Take the time to educate your friends and neighbors about your situation, and chip in when you are able. Don't allow yourself to be talked into more volunteer work than feels comfortable.

Ultimately, when deciding whether to work part-time, you must weigh the pros as well as the cons. But don't get too enthusiastic without knowing what you're getting into!

Updated by Elizabeth McGrory