Part Time Blues
Part Time Blues
The solution to most of my work related problems was half retirement. By leaving clinical practice and taking a less arduous administrative role, I was able to divorce myself from the worst part of doctoring. Being financially independent helped, but wouldn’t have been the complete solution. I am not ready to retire. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t also point out the downsides. The part time blues are real, and should be expected if one is ready to pull the trigger.
I’m not saying that my decision was wrong. I just think it is important for everyone to weigh the risks and benefits of such a career move.
Expendable
Chief among the part time blues is the reality that we become expendable. Nothing speaks to higher ups more than a choice to purposefully pull back. Any employer will immediately change their opinion of our commitment, or even our importance to the organization.
This has consequences. All the sudden we go from being high up on the totem pole to completely expendable. This puts us directly in the sights of any prospective downsizing. If corporate profits go down, guess whose head is on the chopping block?
It’s not only the possibility of losing our role, but the details of that role that may change. Our boss might keep us on board, but start shoveling all the crap work our way. We might be asked to cover off hours, weekends, or holidays.
When we become part time, our leverage is gone. To our bosses, we have already flown the coop.
Marginalized
Most of us are used to being important at work. We spent years building up credibility and doing a great job. Because of this, we were often included in the big decisions. Given the best and sometimes hardest jobs. And treated as the go to guy or gal.
Whether we like to admit it or not, it felt good. A portion of the part time blues is letting go of our identity as rain makers. Our role shifts dramatically, and it becomes time to let others glow in the spotlight.
We chose this path. Now we have to accept it.
Benefits
And then there is benefits. There are tons of good things about being a full time employee. Health care coverage is certainly one of them. Often non full time workers are excluded from this costly benefit. We might still be making money, but then have to cough up an extra ten grand a year for insurance.
Paid vacation. Coming to terms with the part time blues means realizing that we are no longer paid to be out of town. When we work we make money. When we don’t, we won’t.
Yearly bonus. 401K match. Various other perks. We can kiss them all goodbye. We probably won’t qualify for them.
Final Thoughts
Working part time is the perfect solution for me. But the part time blues are real. By making this life decision, we give up on some of the greatest benefits of full time employment.
I can empathize with your part time blues. You made your good choice for all the right reasons. And have brought up some good points. In general I think we have a tendency to have an expectation of any given situation. Then when we actually achieve it or are living it . Reality sets in. It’s not exactly the same as we thought it would be. There are some unknowns and surprises. And there always seems to be some kind of tradeoff. Always.
Definitely always tradeoffs.
There is always a tradeoff. Nothing is free, right?
I changed field completely so I didn’t have to deal with these downsides.
Everyone is expendable, but going part-time brings you to the front of the layoff queue. In the tech field, that’s a tough place to be.
You can always consult, right?
I’m largely marginalized now but the one project I’m still working has me involved in big decisions and I’m still driving it. It’s still a good place to be as long as you can check the ego…
OMG DocG. Get outta my head!
Before I went part-time we had just wrapped up a major project and I remember sitting in the final results meeting with the top honchos all giving me congrats. I was thinking at the time that this was it. This was going to be the Pinnacle of my career. Am I really OK with that?
I transitioned from managing a growing group and being “the man” to being a role player.
You perfectly described the two major downsides that folks may not be prepared for.
1) Ego.
I had worked hard to prove to myself what I was capable of. In a way stepping away means that I’m done with this path that has taken me this far. All those degrees and certifications and late nights won’t help me going forward. Someone wise once said “What got you here won’t get you there”
Can the ego take that hit?
2) Marginalized.
It’s true. Intentional or not I know some folks look at me different now. I no longer belonged to the “club” of those who have risen to a certain status. I no longer am the person who could assign tasks to my staff to get stuff done. I’m No longer brought into high level conversations and decisions.
This does not mean I wouldn’t make the same decision a thousand times over. It has all been worth it. But you have to be ready to make this transition and be prepared for these mixed feelings to surface.
Great minds think alike.
Oh no!!! I’m going part-time next year!!!
However, my workplace sounds totally different from yours. Most of these downsides won’t apply to me, being a teacher at a school with a fair few part-timers, plus being in Australia, so healthcare isn’t a problem.
I only have 5 weeks to go till the end of the school year and the end of full-time work. Can’t wait!