Short-term Part-Time Status?

yogisunam

I'm due in July and do plan on returning to work as I have a good job with great benefits, and appreciate the added income.

That said, I also want to time off and more flexibility when the kid comes and intend to take a healthy maternity leave (still researching my options) for up to 12 weeks, but would also like to return as part-time until the end of the year, which would be around month 6. Responsibility-wise I am confident I can do lots of planning before my leave to make  such an arrangement possible without over-burdening my coworkers (I'll have been at my job for 6 years when the baby comes), so it's a matter of convincing HR and my boss

Has anyone done this or other "creative" or extended leaves with success and can provide any tips.

DallasHorn

With both my kids, I did 4 day work weeks from the time I returned to work until they were 6 or 7 months.  It was WONDERFUL. I was so tired by Thursday evenings and knowing I didn't have to work the following day was very appreciated.

Teresa

I did this with DS1, after maternity leave went back to work 3 full days a week instead of 5.  I wasn't planning on it, it just struck me when I went back to work that I needed to be home more. 

As far as handling it, I was horrible and said I would quit if they didn't let me go part time.  I guess only do this if you know your job is very secure and you're actually ready to walk.  Well, I did know of one other person that attempted quitting to get a pay raise, and it worked, so I figured I should try it.  Not very ethical, I know. 

But your plan sounds good as far as being able to still do your job with scaled back hours.  The bigger question is whether to bring it up before your leave or after?  Either way, you have to ask.  The answer is always no if you never ask.  Sorry I don't have any tips outside of that.

yogisunam

Teresa:

I did this with DS1, after maternity leave went back to work 3 full days a week instead of 5.  I wasn't planning on it, it just struck me when I went back to work that I needed to be home more. 

As far as handling it, I was horrible and said I would quit if they didn't let me go part time.  I guess only do this if you know your job is very secure and you're actually ready to walk.  Well, I did know of one other person that attempted quitting to get a pay raise, and it worked, so I figured I should try it.  Not very ethical, I know. 

But your plan sounds good as far as being able to still do your job with scaled back hours.  The bigger question is whether to bring it up before your leave or after?  Either way, you have to ask.  The answer is always no if you never ask.  Sorry I don't have any tips outside of that.

Thanks for the responses.

Had my job responsibilities not shifted last year to include supervising a few people, I'd consider just going part-time. But I doubt that would fly now. And that's OK. My hours are 9-5, my commute time is short, and get lots of PTO, so I think I'll be able to manage full-time after that 6 month mark.

I worry b/c I think my boss expects me to quit when I have babies. He's made some inappropriate comments in the past regarding other female employees. He's great otherwise, but it's cause for concern.

Should I go to HR first, or my boss?

Teresa

HR for sure then.  Unless you think it would really piss him off by going over his head.  And if you can do it, I would really consider just waiting until your maternity leave is over to broach the subject unless you think that would be impossible. 

 

RoxyLynn

As long as similar opportunities are available to your childfree co-workers, it shouldn't be a problem.