Career Break

michdee

Hi all, I am looking for a little advice from any of you that have taken a career break. Did it work out, was it a struggle, were you happy??
I have been working since I was 16 years of age. I now work part time night work and my husband has a successful business of his own. During the pandemic I have been off work due to health reasons and it has shown me a different side to life. I'm getting into bed at normal hours, getting out of it at normal hours. I'm not grumpy with our 3 girls etc etc. Recently my husband has suggested to me to look at taking a career break. He said he would pay me a small wage and my stamp, for doing the likes of paper work, invoices etc. This would allow him to not be confined to time to be coming home for me to go to work in the evenings as he takes over minding our girls. Needless to say its something I never thought of but now it has been mentioned I am wondering would it work. Have any of you been in this situation, I would really appreciate feedback. I know I'm so lucky to have a job etc etc given the ways things are at the moment, but would just like to see how people felt if you have done this.

whampiri

michdee wrote: »

Hi all, I am looking for a little advice from any of you that have taken a career break. Did it work out, was it a struggle, were you happy??
I have been working since I was 16 years of age. I now work part time night work and my husband has a successful business of his own. During the pandemic I have been off work due to health reasons and it has shown me a different side to life. I'm getting into bed at normal hours, getting out of it at normal hours. I'm not grumpy with our 3 girls etc etc. Recently my husband has suggested to me to look at taking a career break. He said he would pay me a small wage and my stamp, for doing the likes of paper work, invoices etc. This would allow him to not be confined to time to be coming home for me to go to work in the evenings as he takes over minding our girls. Needless to say its something I never thought of but now it has been mentioned I am wondering would it work. Have any of you been in this situation, I would really appreciate feedback. I know I'm so lucky to have a job etc etc given the ways things are at the moment, but would just like to see how people felt if you have done this.

I took one and loved it. It was part of a relocation for me and I went self employed for a while to do a dream job. Was very poorly paid but I loved the work. Highly recommend it for work life balance as long as you're financially able to do it and you can hit your 40years service for pension purposes.(though if part time, it's unlikely that you'll hit it anyway).

A word of warning though: when you go back after your career break, you might not get into your old dept and it's highly unlikely that you'll be doing your old role.

michdee

Thank you, yes I am in my job of nights for the last 17 years so a change could be very welcomed. I'm nearly sure you could work when on a career break? If I found something I loved! Thank you I really appreciate the reply

whampiri

Yes, you can work while on career break.

dory

Absolutely go for it. Working nights is very hard and after 17 years I'd say you've done your time. By the sounds of it you'd have a great deal working with your husband and wouldn't be too tired around your girls. In Irish there's a saying "Is geall le sos malairt oibre" - a change of work is as good as a rest. You can always go back if it doesn't work out.

ari101

It sounds like a good plan but make sure you are getting a proper PRSI contribution if the spouse employing you is a sole trader:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dd68dc-prsi-and-family-employment/