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undecided.

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Anonymous

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undecided.

I am currently unemployed (a month and a half so far) and seeking a job in an accounting/financing/office field. I’ve been offered a position somewhere that would pay me decently well and fairly close to where I live. It would be great skill set wise with room for growth.

The only problem is that I’m not a fan of 40 hour workweeks, and this job is an 8-5 M-F. I’ve worked 40 hour weeks before and I felt miserable and guilty that I couldn’t spend times with my friends, family, and partner. I felt like all I did was work and had no time for myself. I also have a physical disability that, while it doesn’t stop me from working, completely drains me at the end of a working day. In my previous 9-5 job, I would be asleep by 7 pm and sleep 10+ hours easily.

I asked this company if I could have slightly less hours or a four day workweek and I was told it’s not possible. The company is a reputable state-wide business that I would be happy to work for, but those hours are making me have second thoughts. Any advice?

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  1. Anonymous

    It's 100% a personal decision.
    None of us is in your exact position in life. All of us have very individual priorities.

    You must make the decision that serves you, your lifestyle, priorities and goals.

    My life is completely different so my decision would not necessarily be helpful. I stick firmly to what serves my life. So should you.

  2. Anonymous

    Yes! What will work for you might fall woefully short for someone else.

    You must consider everything that will make you happy while working for your personal situation.

  3. Anonymous

    You've already asked the company and they have told you that it is not possible for them to accommodate your request.

    I would advise you to seek out a role that better suits your needs and know that up front.

    One last thing I would leave you with: if you are collecting unemployment, you may be obligated to accept the position you were offered in order to continue collecting unemployment.

  4. Anonymous

    I need to reword that last paragraph...I realized what I wrote doesn't make sense. If you are collecting unemployment, you may be obligated to accept the position. I mean, you could fudge the truth, people do that. But I wouldn't feel good about doing so if I were in that position. When I was on unemployment a year a year and a half ago, I had to file a report weekly, providing them with positions I applied to and whether I had received any offers of employment during that period.

  5. surfnwrite

    May I ask what state you are in that asked you to file weekly reports?

  6. Anonymous

    In Ohio.

  7. Anonymous

    8-5 is standard. You should search for part-time jobs if that's what you want.

  8. Anonymous

    Not the OP, but she is not necessarily asking for part time work. She is just not comfortable with a 40 hour work week. My guess is she may be looking for a 32 hour work week. Not unheard of.

  9. Anonymous

    That's about what I'm looking for: either a schedule like 9-4 or a 4 day work week just to not be so hard on my body. Only problem is that not many options in my career offer anything less than 40+ hours, which had I known that I might taken a slightly different path education-wise.

    It really sucks that a 40 hour work week is the standard. It boggles me that people actually do 40 hours and still be people.

  10. Anonymous

    Some of us do 50 just to make ends meet.

  11. Anonymous

    Your comment seems to indicate that you are quite young, live outside the US, naive, and/or rather entitled. The minimum hours for "full time" is 35 hours (at least in NYS, which then requires employers to offer benefits). Anything less is considered "part time". Typically, part time does not include benefits (yes, there may be a few exceptions, but they seem very far and few between).

    I'd venture to say that the vast majority of people have been working 40 hour work weeks for most of our lives. We manage to have quality time for family, friends and our partner. We utilize PTO when applicable to bump that quantity of time up.

    While other country cultures have recognized a shorter work week, the US is not there yet (nor do I see that shifting anytime soon).

    Also, in the US, there are ADA laws to protect disabled workers, and require employers to make reasonable accommodations for the employee. I don't know if a shorter work week is one of them. This company that offered you the job requires 40 hours/wk. Reasonable accommodations may include a work station that doesn't require you to walk a mile to a copier and/or restroom. It may also include different equipment or office space features (standing desk, larger monitor are a few examples).

    Many job descriptions include a clause about physical requirements. Did this one? Was your disability discussed durning the interview process? While not "required", I personally feel that you have an ethical duty to disclose any factors that would inhibit doing the job you've applied for (including the ability to work the required 40 hours).

    If you've asked for a shorter work week and they've declined, this isn't the job for you. You need to focus your search efforts on part time opportunities that will meet you work hours expectations.

  12. Anonymous

    OP here- while I do appreciate your suggestions, I do want to clarify a few things: I am in my mid-twenties(so not that young), I live in the southern US, and what part of my comment made me seem naive/entitled?? I genuinely don’t understand what you’re trying to say by that.

    Regardless, I used to bring up my disability in interviews, but I would ALWAYS get told that “with your disability, you cannot work here” or never hear back, so I stopped bringing it up, and then I would get called back for second interviews and eventually jobs. Before anyone says anything else, I have applied for disability multiple times in the past, including hiring a disability lawyer, and I was turned down for not being “disabled enough.”

    And for this job, it did not outright say what hours I would have to work when I applied. I only found out in the interview and asked then.

  13. Anonymous

    "It really sucks that a 40 hour work week is the standard.
    It boggles me that people actually do 40 hours and still be people."
    This is what I was referring to. It boggles me that you expect something less in a "full time job". If the posting was for a "full time" position, then you need to understand that it means 40hr/wk (maybe 35). If you want anything less, you need to search for "part time" jobs.

  14. Anonymous

    Accounting/Finance is clearly not the field for you. I work in this field, and I would not hire you as a FTE. If you ended up on my team as a FTE, I would fire you because it's not fair to the rest of your team who are all going over 40 hours when necessary.

    Either go for a part time, hourly position or look for something like a more general office position that doesn't require accounting hours. You don't sound like you would be very good in accounting anyways since it involves having to solve problems and clean up a lot of messes.

  15. Valerie Rieger

    I've worked an at least 40 hour week for the entirety of my 25+ year career. I live a full life, am actively involved in my children's lives, volunteer in community organizations, and have ample time for family and friends. My trick is to be fully present where I am. If I'm at work, I'm at work. If I'm at home, I'm at home. If I'm with family and friends, I'm 100% there. I don't feel guilty for the time that I spend at work because the wages I earn allow me to be able to do all of those other things.

    You may need to consider either asking for a reasonable accommodation for your disability or consider positions that are part-time.

  16. Anonymous

    It would be difficult to find work outside of standard business hours in accounting/financing/office field. Not saying it's impossible, but I think the advice of looking for parttime would be the way to go.

  17. Anonymous

    Their need is their need, if you aren't willing to work for what they're hiring for they will find someone who will. Move on, you sound like you won't be happy working a full time job.

  18. BeaBoss105337

    Wouldn't it be unfair to the employer as well?

  19. Anonymous

    Agree, such a fair point.

  20. Anonymous

    As an accountant here....the 40 hr work seems to never end.
    I'm not complaining....it is what it is. I too am drained.

    This may not be a good fit at this time. I'd hate for you get there and....in these situations, the employer has the upper hand.

    Have you considered PT bookkeeping as well? I've seen a lot (relatively) of PT opportunities for them.

  21. Anonymous

    You should look for part time positions. 40 hour week is a standard full time position. Sometimes companies offer flexibility, but it should be in their policies.

  22. Anonymous

    Sounds like you need to decline this position and revise your search to only look for part time work, if working 40 hrs/week is a dealbreaker for you.

  23. Anonymous

    I just read through this thread, and agree with a lot of what was said, especially the first one who replied that this is 100% YOUR decision, as only you know what you can and cannot handle. Just a couple of things to consider:

    The difference between full-time and part-time can vary by state. Some states, the cutoff is 30, some 35, some 40 hours before the company has to consider you full-time with full-time benefits. Where I am, the cutoff is 30 hours, so you will see a lot of job postings stipulating 29 hours/week, especially state and retail jobs.

    Most companies will not provide medical or PTO benefits to part-time employees, so if you are asking for hours that would put you in the part-time category and need the medical, apply for Medicaid if the pay qualifies you or you can find insurance through the healthcare marketplace website. Depending on your income, these plans can sometimes be cheaper than accepting the employer's group policy.

    If PTO is important to you, you probably do not want to work part-time, as policies generally suck if they even exist for PTO.

  24. Anonymous

    Only you can decide what is right for you. Just like a company decides what hours and days it wants, needs its employees to work. I think there is always a struggle because companies want more time and employees want less time.

    I realize that when you apply for a job you hope that things about the role can be tailored to you. And maybe over time you can prove your value to the operation and you both can agree on revised hours.

  25. surfnwrite

    So you are looking for a part-time job then. That is not the norm, so you need to look for those opportunities. I have worked 50-60 or more hours a week my entire working life. 40 hours would be a cakewalk for me. I'm envious.

  26. Anonymous

    Accounting is not the right field for a less than 40 hour work week. Unless you are specifically going for a part-time role you are either going to end up irritating everyone else you work with and making them hate you, getting fired, or both. My advice would be to limit yourself to part time roles in that field or look for a job in another field.

  27. Anonymous

    Could not agree more.

  28. Anonymous

    If you want a,part time job, then look for one.

  29. Anonymous

    I'm not an expert but I wonder if your request could fall under ADA and reasonable accommodations?

  30. Anonymous

    True. But employers can let people go for any reason - it may be ADA related but they can find a different reason to say goodbye

  31. Anonymous

    I’ve worked in the accounting field for over 25 years. Accounting jobs/professionals work 40 plus if full time. If you want less than 40 in the accounting profession that is considered part time. My statement is based on the profession not state laws. Maybe changing your search parameters will help. Maybe talking to a recruiter could help.

  32. Anonymous

    Same here, if I had a FTE on my team expecting less than a 40 hour work week while everyone else was working 40+, they'de be out the door unless I was able to change their position to part time which would result in them being paid hourly and at a lower rate. It's way too unfair to the rest of the team to hire a FTE who is looking for less than 40 hours.

  33. Anonymous

    Agreed! I'm an accountant and my teammate was let go because she wanted PT "to have a life" and I got stuck having to ALWAYS cover for her.

    She was let go because my supervisor noticed who did the work....her work. BTW, after we cleaned her desk, found a lot of checks from clients she never deposited and I did a ton of work to fix the issues she caused

    My point: unfortunately, PT isn't an option unless the organization offers it, not the employee

  34. Anonymous

    Accountant here: definitely 40+ (emphasis on the plus!!)

    I've seen PT Bookkeeper roles. Might be a better fit for the OP

  35. Farah Bajwa

    Its a tough spot. I would play the scenarios out and see what benefits you the most. If you're unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits, then you risk losing those if you decide to accept and then later quit this job. But on the other hand if you accept this role, you are making some money and are in control of continuing to look for something more suitable for your lifestyle.

    At a time, I had come back from medical leave with a doctor's note that capped my hours at 32 per week. Can you considering doing the same?

  36. Anonymous

    It depends on your financial needs. You mentioned that you’re unemployed. Are you receiving unemployment income, and if so, is it enough to pay your bills? Are your credit card bills piling up? Are you struggling to pay for basic things like rent, groceries, etc? Do you lack other income sources such as rent from properties or income from book sales (aka income-producing assets)? Are you failing to get job offers from other places? If so, you’ll probably need to sign the job offer letter immediately. You wouldn’t want to give them the chance to give the job offer to someone else.

    You mentioned that you have a physical disability. You could try to find a job with fewer hours such as a part-time job. You just have to remember that a job with fewer hours may not have benefits. Even if the part-time job comes with benefits, it likely won’t pay as well.

    If your disability qualifies for SSDI, you could also apply for that option, too.

    That’s one of the unfortunate aspects of our society. Employers never consider the fact that not everyone can withstand a 40-hr workweek, especially if they need to drive to an office. Despite this, they would rather cut back on remote work opportunities and make it harder for those with physical disabilities to find work.

  37. Sarah Mudd

    In my state if you can lose your unemployment benefits for declining a job offer. It might be worth working for a while to have the income until you find something, maybe within the same company, that is a better fit for your needs. I've always heard it's easier to get a job when you have a job, and I think there's a lot of wisdom to that (not that I am endorsing that, I just think it's reality.)

  38. Anonymous

    Think that goes for all 50. If you are receiving UE you are obligated to accept an offered role

  39. Anonymous

    True, but serious question here, how is UE going to find out?

  40. Anonymous

    Because Your new employer will start reporting taxes withheld.. Your state will know very quickly that you are back to work

  41. Anonymous

    You have to report jobs applied and jobs offered... Here in my state, I had to do it every week online

  42. Kelly Harman-Severson

    Take the job! It’s a tough market and you are very lucky to have an offer so soon after being laid off

  43. Teresa Holloway

    Why did you apply to a full time position if you only want to work part time?

  44. Regina Brown

    Ask your employer if your can do 10 hours 4 days a week or 9 hours 4 days per week. Full time is classified at "35-40 hours per week. If you cannot perform 35-40 hours per week, then you may want to look for an employer with flexible hours. This will also include flexible pay. What about a remote work from home job? There are a lot of them available. I work full time, from home and have multiple sclerosis. On the days, that are just too hard, I work 1/2 day and get some rest. Most days are quite easy. I think you will be okay...

  45. Anonymous

    I'm not a fan of 5 day work weeks either...for lots of reasons. But you've got a job offer, and they told you that the hours are not negotiable. SO, The ball is in your court. You get to decide whether you want to jump and take the position anyway or turn it down.. If it were me comma I would probably go ahead and accept the position and hope that you could eventually negotiate fewer hours or perhaps working from home part of the time.. Remember the old expression that a bird in the hand is worth two in the blush.. You have a job offer in hand right now... You should probably go ahead and take it

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