So, seems that I will have the chance to take voluntary redundancy later this month.
Currently in an obscure part of the civil service which has been wound down as legislation has reduced our workload. I compress my hours into a 9 day fortnight so MrsSwadey can work 1 day a fortnight to keep her professional hand in and be a stay at home mum the rest of the time, and we earn enough to get by on but no frills or luxuries like proper holidays.
Due to some canny decisions in the past, we have a tiny mortgage outstanding, so although I haven't done many years in the civil service, the redundancy should clear the mortgage. MrsSwadey can walk into a job paying better than mine whenever she chooses to so do, even in the current climate. I, on the other hand, have got sidetracked down a blind alley and all my previous business and management skills are now 10 years out of date.
So, should I take the deal and we swap places? Essentially I will be the house husband, which I have no problem with, and will have to try and find some sort of work locally to fit round school hours (youngest starts in September) to keep me sane and pay towards a pension, but that will be hard aged 41 at the moment (unless Alpkit down the road can keep that vacancy going till September!)
On the other hand, if I stay on, I'm more likely to get redeployed than be made compulsory redundant, and MrsSwadey can pick and choose as much occassional/agency work to fit round school hours as we need her to. My gut reaction is to sit tight and carry on as we are - voluntary terms are not going to be much better than compulsory with my level of service and it seems a bit daft to jump out the door with no safety net in the current climate.
Happy to hear other peoples views and experiences which ever way though!
I got laid off a couple of years ago, been a house-husband (plus a bit of temp work) for the past +2 years.
Certainly improved my kitchen skills - and MTB fitness.
Now going back full-time and the wife is swapping roles.
Go for it.
It's not forever. If you swap. You can take some of the time during the day to retain / get up to scratch then in a few years you might go back to work or start small business e.t.c.
The only thing that matters is if it works for you, your wife and your kids (in the order you choose). Does it pay the bills and are you happy.
I know people who've done it and it works - I don't think I know anyone who has done it and it hasn't.
Cheers guys
Decided to give up career to look after the missus 4 years ago, bit different situation obviously but glad i did.
It was a big decision but i swapped a high stress job for a relativelylow stress life, with much biking etc great!
But we'll be screwed come pension age... Heyho
That's what is bothering me Tim - already expecting to have to work till 65 even though we are relatively comfortable, but want to ensure the pension pot is as good as it can be to maybe go part-time at 55-60
Swadey - not for nothing, and this is not to say that you will experience the same issue, but just think about the psychological impact of the decision as well.
Sometimes we can really underestimate just how much of our sense of identity is tied up in our work and losing your job, even if it's something you volunteer for, can end up hitting you harder that you might anticipate.
I've seen this happen to someone very close to me; you just can't know how you'll feel until after it's happened. There's all that loss of identity, loss of self esteem, grieving, anger etc.
Just be aware of it that's all but otherwise it sounds like a fantastic opportunity and a very noble one. I came close to doing the same thing myself last year when I was made redundant and we had our first baby coming along.
I am considering a similar situation, been looking after the kids 2 days a week since feb last year and working partime in a semi related field to my chosen profession. however the ongoing promise of an increase to full time just isnt happening despite best intentions of my boss. I'm waiting a repsonse from a second interview for a planners position which is what I'm qualified for, if i don't get the gig I'm almost certainly gonna be a full time house husband as Mrstubing is the major breadwinner and will be so until I get a few years under my belt as a planner. Can't afford to continue as is and a bit gutted that 4 years of study has found me still looking for work 18 months down the line.