packed in the rat race (now a site assistant)
Discussion
Ive had my own business for over 30 years and its been fairly lucrative for me,ive been mortgage free since the age of 40yrs and now at 49yrs ive topped up savings accounts and pensions and had enough of late nights pricing work and working some weekends getting jobs done to program and can now afford to take a salary approx 1/3rd of my usual amount,so for the last few weeks ive been working as a site assistant at a local school a 15min B road drive from my house.
Site assistant is the new flashier name for a school caretaker and there are no bodily fluids to get involved in as the school cleaners do that (phew) and with hours of 8-4pm 5 days a week ive got plenty of me and family time.
Anyone else done a similar thing and did you stick at it even with a far lower salary?
Site assistant is the new flashier name for a school caretaker and there are no bodily fluids to get involved in as the school cleaners do that (phew) and with hours of 8-4pm 5 days a week ive got plenty of me and family time.
Anyone else done a similar thing and did you stick at it even with a far lower salary?
Never heard that name for it before. My staff are School Keepers - I think that might be because it's a private school and it's all a bit knobby 
.
It's a hugely frowned upon job (for reasons you mention in your post). It's misunderstood - particularly by people who have never met someone who does it. My guys have a cracking time and I wouldn't want to run a dept anywhere else.
Not sure I'd want to work in the public sector though.
. It's a hugely frowned upon job (for reasons you mention in your post). It's misunderstood - particularly by people who have never met someone who does it. My guys have a cracking time and I wouldn't want to run a dept anywhere else.
Not sure I'd want to work in the public sector though.
I'm going to be right behind you chum as I retire next year and need something approx 1/3 what I'm earning now. Ideally part time or something that involves picking stuff up, dropping it off, no complex decision making, no risk, no personnel 'issues'.
I turn up, do something, get paid, go home.
I turn up, do something, get paid, go home.
This is a very personal call. I do not completely miss the 90 hour weeks I did occasionally but the adrenalin was addictive to be creating change. I would never not work though I now do more like 25 hours a week with periodic bursts of activity. I have no financial issues and at 68 am in good health and can do pretty much as I always did. I like having deadlines and objectives and would miss them in a life of complete leisure.
Armitage.Shanks said:
I'm going to be right behind you chum as I retire next year and need something approx 1/3 what I'm earning now. Ideally part time or something that involves picking stuff up, dropping it off, no complex decision making, no risk, no personnel 'issues'.
I turn up, do something, get paid, go home.
Tbh im not certain i will be doing this for too long as i have plans to retire early and head off abroad somewhere but for now it suits but i wont be banking the £10k+ per year as i have for a while now and those expensive meals out will be less often but i now dont think of work until i get there and forget about it the minute i leave which is a nice feeling for sure.I turn up, do something, get paid, go home.
Armitage.Shanks said:
I'm going to be right behind you chum as I retire next year and need something approx 1/3 what I'm earning now. Ideally part time or something that involves picking stuff up, dropping it off, no complex decision making, no risk, no personnel 'issues'.
I turn up, do something, get paid, go home.
Been doing this for nearly 4 years. Got out of main dealership management, set up a home based pet food franchise with Mrs H and freelance my spare time to 3 or 4 local businesses who appreciate having people like me available to cover sickness/staff shortages/holidays etc. First come first served.I turn up, do something, get paid, go home.
TV/AV deliveries, house removals, fencing, the odd car repair, van driving, cycle tour logistics etc. anything that comes up basically.
Lots of variety, keeps me reasonably fit and active and I decide if I work or not. I often have to turn down jobs especially this time of year.
No pressure, no stress, no grief laden calls from directors, no chasing targets, no staff to manage, no stupid hours, no 24/7 emails etc etc.
And the best thing is..... nothing I do now actually feels like work.
30 plus years in the building trade, plenty of traveling, out of the house 11- 12 hours, winter work shortages.
All given up for site co-ordinator ( caretaker ) at local college, it was the best move I ever made.
I work two shifts, 6.30am - 2pm and 2pm till whenever we shut, this is usually between 8.30- 9.30, it can run a bit later but not very often.
I'm 15 minutes from home and at those hours I miss any Rush hour traffic
Pension, paid sick leave, non of which were included in the building trade.
It can be hard work at times but overall it's a good job, not as well paid but job satisfaction is much improved.
No regrets at all
All given up for site co-ordinator ( caretaker ) at local college, it was the best move I ever made.
I work two shifts, 6.30am - 2pm and 2pm till whenever we shut, this is usually between 8.30- 9.30, it can run a bit later but not very often.
I'm 15 minutes from home and at those hours I miss any Rush hour traffic
Pension, paid sick leave, non of which were included in the building trade.
It can be hard work at times but overall it's a good job, not as well paid but job satisfaction is much improved.
No regrets at all
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff