Recs on asking for part-time schedule

KateKM

Hi- I'm considering asking for a part-time schedule when I return from leave and wondered what worked/hadn't worked for folks interested in the same thing.  We don't really have a company precedent/policy, so I have nothing to really go by as far as models internally.  I want to avoid being paid half time for still really doing a full-time job, so I'm trying to think ahead about this.  Thanks! 

nmr79

I will be switching jobs after LO arrives.  I tried to propose that I work 3 full days a week (while still doing the same amount of work that I do in 5 days, just taking some  home).  My boss wasn't game, and I even was willing to take the pay cut.  I work at a small office, and his excuse was that my coworkers would be overwhelmed if I wasn't there full time (even though I would only schedule my patients for the days that I was there).  I'm a nurse, so I'll just be working at the hospital where I used to work.  I can do that part time at least (for less money).  Good luck!  I guess it depends on what kind of work you do and how big your office is. 

March2004bride

I am actually getting ready to talk to my boss about this so I am very interested to hear the responses.  I used workoptions.com for my work at home proposal before I left for maternity leave and got a very good response from it.  I currently work from home 3 days/week  However, I am probably just going to put together a one-page memo for this next change.  Workoptions.com is probably your best bet.  It cost aroudn $30 for the template, but it was very thorough.  Especially if this has not been done before at your company, it is probably the best thing to help you.

RoxyLynn

KateKM:

I want to avoid being paid half time for still really doing a full-time job, so I'm trying to think ahead about this.  Thanks! 

Seriously????

soccermom-to-be

When I came back to work after DD was born, I asked my manager if I could return at a 4 day/week schedule at 80% pay.  I still received full benefits, 401k etc.  He said yes and that he would allow it for the first three months back.

After 2 months of loving the schedule I approached him and said 'I love this schedule and it's working so well that I would like to extend the time until it becomes an issue'.  He agreed that I was still doing 100% of my work at 80% of the pay (I took calls on my day off if needed and then made up for the time with a morning off, or did work at night if needed).  He reviewed it with our VP who agreed that it was working and two years later I am still on 4 days a week.  It's never been an issue but I have made it clear that I am available for emergencies on my day off, which rarely happens.

If you make it work and put in the effort and do it on a trial run, it's easier for them to agree.  Oh, and it's been two years at part-time and I am going out on leave again in 2 months :-)

Oh, and I will say, the pay cut sucked at first since I am still doing a lot of work, but the full day with DD is totally worth it!!

sprky79

KateKM:

Hi- I want to avoid being paid half time for still really doing a full-time job, 

Yeah, and I want a pony.

You have a full time job.  One that assumes full time hours.  If you convince your boss your job can be done part time, he will find a part time person to do it.  Or, pay you part time wages.  That is life in this economy, sorry.

hiltyn78

sprky79:

KateKM:

Hi- I want to avoid being paid half time for still really doing a full-time job, 

Yeah, and I want a pony.

To the OP: you're ALWAYS going to get 'attacked' (for lack of a better word) by some people on this board about approaching this topic.  i see NOTHING wrong with wanting to a) spend more time w/ your daughter and b) wanting fair pay IF you will still be doing your job at the same caliber as you were prior to LO's arrival.  However...  that last part is pretty much the kicker.  It's a stretch to ask for FT pay at PT hours.  If you're asking your employer to give a little, you need to give a little as well.

I bought that template at workoptions.com or something like that and have asked unsuccessfully 3x at my former work place to go PT.  I've basically given up.    And honestly, I had about 12 hours of work to do each week but they insisted I was there for 40.  I have since switched jobs (still FT much to my chagrin). 

harmelissa

My boss was agreeable to reduced hours so I made a list of my workload and how much time per week I spent on each task.  We then went through the list together and decided what tasks I would no longer be responsible for. I'm paid for part time work, but I only contribute part time work - which I think was your point :-)