‘I want a share of my husband’s overtime pay – I’m putting in unpaid work’

A woman has sparked a lively debate online after stating she wants an extra £100 from her husband’s overtime pay to fund her beauty treatments.

The anonymous woman, who shared her story on Mumsnet as reported by The Mirror, works long shifts over three days to care for their two year old daughter the rest of the week.

She argues that her husband’s recent increase in overtime and weekend work means she is doing more unpaid work at home, and therefore deserves a share of his extra earnings.

Many online users have supported her request.

“Because of this extra work, [my husband] got a substantial more amount of money in his pay packet, which he says ‘is for the family’,” the post reads. 

“However, I don’t actually ever see any of the money. He will buy me clothes, pay for meals out, etc. But I have never been given any finances.”

The woman adds that she now feels “put out” as he is “reaping the financial rewards” while she isn’t.

“I am unable to do any overtime in my job so can’t even do that,” she continued. “I’d just love an extra £100 to get my nails done or a facial or something to choose to spend my money on.”

After asking whether the request was “unreasonable”, a slew of users took to the comments section to share their thoughts. Some disapproved, with one person asking: “So, he’s to work overtime for you to get money to do your nails?”

Another wrote: “It’s not your money though is it, it’s his money. What’s he spending the extra money on if it’s not for family stuff?”

However, many agreed the woman should be entitled to compensation for her increased workload at home.

“He should pay more towards bills,” one person said. “Overtime and bonuses are shared in our marriage… That means the financial rewards are shared,” another person wrote.

And someone else added: “He is only in a position to earn extra because you are there to provide childcare at no extra cost. I think you should definitely see a benefit from the overtime.”