Benefits Package Career

I Quit. Three Reasons I’m Walking Away from a Part-time Job with Great Benefits

I Quit. Three Reasons I’m Walking Away from a Part-time Job with Great Benefits
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The day I publish this post is my last day of work at my current job. It’s been fun, interesting, and rewarding, but I submitted my resignation notice two weeks ago and today is the end. The job offer was a hard fought win because the interview panel questioned if my past experience was related enough (it was) and I had stated that I’d only work a part-time schedule (I got it).

My immediate supervisor has been thrilled with my work as he and I have worked together since the contract’s first year. For multiple years, we’ve exceeded the client’s expectations and won more work. Our project team has grown, and I know I am leaving the client in capable hands.

The Benefits that Accompany My Part-time Job

I am also leaving a good company, one that is doing well and growing. Look at this line-up of benefits that I, a part-time employee, have access to. We need more employers who will accommodate part-time schedules for professionals who desire less than 40 (+) hours each week.

The generous benefits and perks include the following:

  • A part-time schedule of 30 hours per week with the ability to work up to 40 hours for additional straight-time pay and earn a 1.5 overtime rate if hours exceed 40 hours per week
  • A part-time schedule that aligns well with my child’s school hours and allows me to be the parent who drops him off and picks him up
  • Convenient location near my child’s school
  • A short commute on local roads (For me, no highway miles or traffic congestion. Can’t speak for all coworkers)
  • The ability to work remotely (from home or anywhere) as needed (Ideal for school district teacher workdays and snow days or when my child is sick)
  • Affordable and good health insurance, as well as dental and vision coverage
  • Four weeks of paid time off (PTO) per year
  • Seven paid holidays per year
  • One paid floating holiday per year
  • Ability to make pre-tax contributions to a medical flex spending account
  • Ability to make pre-tax contributions to a dependent care flex spending account
  • A 401(k) plan with low fees and a 5% employer match (partly in the form of employee-owned company stock)
  • Occasional (though increasing) and interesting travel
  • Ability to accrue frequent flyer miles and hotel points for personal use
  • A wellness program that includes a gym subsidy (with qualifying number of workouts) and an annual blood panel
  • A fun holiday dinner party with prizes (I won snowshoes last year!)
  • Unlimited free coffee, tea, and soda
  • Three days of paid bereavement leave (Preferably left unused)

If I worked full-time, I would also have access to tuition assistance and adoption assistance.

Holy awesome benefits, what I am thinking? This company is generous with their employees! Why am I leaving?!

Am I foolish to walk away from such a good setup? Read my three reasons below. They work together to provide me with total peace that I’m making the right decision for me and for my family.

 

Our Youngest Child Needs a Parent This Summer, Not a Nanny

In our many years of parenting, we’ve used day care, summer camps, nannies, and my ability to work from home to cover child care during the summer months.

Two of our kids have graduated from college. Our youngest is in middle school. This past school year has been challenging, and our son will be a teenager soon. My husband and I know our son, and we know that a parent is best for him this summer. 

My husband is president of a fast growing company that he started, and it now has a few dozen employees. I love working and earning a salary too. However, it makes sense that I stay home with our son when you also consider the next reason.

 

My Job is No Longer a Fit and Career Growth is Limited

My project team has won more work and most of it involves travel.

I have been told that I can’t pursue the next logical promotion without a certain certification, one that would take a few hundred hours of personal time to apply and prepare for the exam. It is a certification that I have no interest in pursuing. It’s not truly needed for the specialized area of our work but looks good in proposals. There are other professional development opportunities in which I would rather invest my time and money.

I have also been told that I can’t pursue a different in-house promotion track because there are too many of those type personnel on staff.

I switched career paths for this job and I performed well. However, I am ready to move on. I will enjoy a summer break, and I will also use the time to figure out what’s next.

 

We Can Afford My Career Break (Plus….)

My husband and I are both in our early 50s. We have saved and invested for retirement for almost three decades. We have what some in the personal finance community call “Free U” money (this is a family blog so I won’t say the other version of FU).

Additionally, he is still working. We have his income and will switch our health insurance coverage to his company’s program.

I’m not retiring. I don’t want to retire yet! I’m simply leaving a job and taking a summer break.

 


 

What do you think? Am I foolish to walk away from that nice pile of benefits, especially considering it can be difficult to find a company willing to allow a desirable part-time schedule? Or am I leaving a good thing in search of better? Say hi and leave a note in the comments below!

 

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19 Comments

  1. Amy @ LifeZemplified

    Hi Carol! We never know the answer to those questions until we are way beyond making the decision. But with being in the financial position you are in I can’t see how putting your son first is at all foolish. 🙂 Enjoy the summer!

    1. Hi Amy! You’re right, time will tell. Summer in Colorado is awesome so I am really looking forward to it. I’ll let you know if we make it your way (and you do the same in this direction)!

  2. You made the right decision. No turning back. You know you made the right decision.

    1. Hi Joe! I am definitely looking forward to exploring new opportunities! The work day has ended and I am excited for the months ahead. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂

  3. We are so excited for you! 🙂

    1. Thank you, Jennifer! I have so many ideas to fill the time! 😃 See you soon?!

  4. I think you’ve made a great move by doing this – you know your child better than anyone else. You and your husband have set yourself up to be able to do this – no matter what kind of job and benefits you’re giving up. I’ll be interested to see how you feel in a few weeks!

    1. Based on how quickly I filled my upcoming week, I know I could totally get used to this. 😊

      If I do seek another part-time gig with a W-2 job, I will definitely have to write about the process. I do think it’s difficult to find a part-time schedule AND so many good benefits/perks. Thanks for stopping by, Vicki!

  5. Hi, Carol! I don’t think you’re at all foolish. Time spent with family is priceless! You’ve worked hard to contribute to your family’s finances, but quality of life is not just about money. You are fortunate that your husband recognizes the value you bring to your family by doing all you’ll be doing at home. And, your son won’t fondly remember if you worked longer hours to send him to a better day camp, but he will remember laughing with you over an inside joke, or going to the park with you, or any number of things money can’t buy.

    1. Hi, Susie, and thank you! I love your “…quality of life is not just about money.” So true. My son might prefer a nanny when I pull out the daily to-do list with chores. 😉 But seriously I am really looking forward to some fun quality time with him. It’s been a challenging school year for sure.

  6. A great reminder for younger families that staying diligent and focused with your finances (in the earlier years) has rewarding benefits later when you really must prioritize your work schedule and availability to your children and family. The benefits of the great summer ahead (with your son) will affirm this decision. Being industrious and hard working will yield the next chapter of your professional career but can never get you that time back with our son. Great move, Great plan!

    1. Roseann, you are a most excellent commenter. I should hire you to provide a “so what?!” summary for the end of each of my posts. 😉😃 Indeed, choices made earlier in our careers and financial lives can pay off later as our needs change. Thanks for visiting!

  7. Angela @ Tread Lightly Retire Early

    I love how intentional you were with this decision. Enjoy this summer break with your son 🙂

    1. Angela, thank you! I am really looking forward to this break as I need to unwind. Thank you, too, for sharing the article on your Women’s Personal Finance Week 35 Roundup!

  8. Laurie@ThreeYear

    Carol, good for you! You can’t get the summer with your son back, ever. I’ve consistently put my kids in front of my career and it’s always worked out for us. Sounds like you guys have been saving and planning so long that this move is going to be no problem. Enjoy the time with your son!

    1. Laurie, hi! Like you, I’ve always put my kids in front of my career. It will be interesting to see how the search goes when I’m ready (if I’m ever ready) to find another part-time position because I’m not getting any younger, but for now I will definitely enjoy this time with my son. Thanks for visiting!

  9. As we have had people leave at my work, I keep saying, people need to do what is best for themself and their family. If the summer home with your son is the decision you’ve made, that’s important. He will remember it as he grows.
    Career ladders…ugh. I know I (a) don’t want the responsibility of our department VP and (b) I’m not a competitive person to fight my way there. I am realizing I do need to pursue a ‘manager’ title, for the pay / years of experience level whenever I next have a job search.
    Enjoy the summer!

  10. As we have had people leave at my work, I keep saying, people need to do what is best for themself and their family. If the summer home with your son is the decision you’ve made, that’s important. He will remember it as he grows.
    Career ladders…ugh. I know I (a) don’t want the responsibility of our department VP and (b) I’m not a competitive person to fight my way there. I am realizing I do need to pursue a ‘manager’ title, for the pay / years of experience level whenever I next have a job search.
    Enjoy the summer!

    1. Hi, Jacq. Thanks for your comment! For me, the flexibility to have more time with my kids was always more important than climbing the corporate ladder. At the same time, I don’t want to be treated too ‘junior’ for my years of experience and I don’t want to jump through unnecessary corporate hoops. It’s all a big lifelong search for the best fit. I’m thankful to have some months off. It could be interesting (aka challenging) to figure out what’s next… Thanks again for your comment!

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