NTR: anyone work in the human resources field? I need advice.

RD'sgirl

I haven't posted in a while but would like to pick the brain of any moms working in HR.  I work for the court system in a big city, so I work for the city gov't.  I would really like to go part-time (to be able to spend more time with my dd).  A city gov't is a lot difft than private industry though and I'm not sure what the protocal would be for this, I haven't heard of anyone downgrading from FT to PT. 

I basically would just like some info because I'm not even sure it's possible for me to do this.  I have not mentioned anything to my supervisor because, as I said, I don't even know if I would be allowed to do this.  I was planning on emailing someone in our HR dept but I'm not exactly sure who to email or how to word the email.  Based on our HR web page I'm considering emailing someone with the title promotions and reclassifications but I'm not really sure if she's the correct contact. 

So, after this long-winded post, if you work in HR, is it appropriate for me to email someone to basically just get some info on possibly switching to PT?  If so, without going into great detail, how should I word the email? 

FYI: I am very flexible and open to moving to any other department if there is part time work available.

KatieRL1979

First I would casually look at the available positions to see if any of them are PT.  If not then you best bet is to talk to your supervisor and explain the situation.  Someone in HR may not know the needs of your department or if it would be acceptable for your position to become PT.  Keep in mind that if you go to PT, someone else in your department will have to pick up the slack of work you aren't doing, or they would have to hire an additional person.

But really though, you need to communicate with your immediate supervisor about your work and life needs.  Open lines of communication are the only way for everyone to understand each other's needs and what expectations there are on both sides.

Keep in mind that most likely if you drop to anything below 80% time, most employers will drop your benefits.  So if you currently get your medical, etc. from your employer as a full-time employee that may stop if you go PT.

Heavncentt

Personally, I would not have any issues if one of my employees emailed or came to talk to me with the questions you have. That is a part of what HR is there for. I think you could just email them (the promotions/reclassifications you mentioned sounded appropriate) and explain it like you explained it to us.

Now, I don't know how big your division is...if there is possibility of the HR person you talk to being on friendly terms with your boss and mentioning this to your boss. If there is such possibility, you may want to mention this thought to your boss because excluding him and then him finding out through the grapevine may cause bad feelings.

RD'sgirl

I am absolutely not opposed to my immediate supervisor knowing that I would like to go part time I just wanted to even know if it was possible before I mentioned it to her.  And, with my current position, I would bet there is no way I will be able to go part time so if this is possible I would most likely have to move to a difft dept.

KatieRL1979

RD'sgirl:

I am absolutely not opposed to my immediate supervisor knowing that I would like to go part time I just wanted to even know if it was possible before I mentioned it to her.  And, with my current position, I would bet there is no way I will be able to go part time so if this is possible I would most likely have to move to a difft dept.

Either way - you still need to start this conversation with your supervisor.  They can't even try to help you with your workload or possibly helping you in some way if they aren't aware of your needs.  Plus they are truely the only person really aware of the needs of your position.  You don't want them finding out through the grapevine that you were asking around about it behind their back either.  Besides, if you do end up needing to transfer to another department then you'd want your current supervisor to be on board with that and give you a good reference.

From HR's perspective really any person can become full or part-time but it's up to the supervisor to say if that is possible for that particular position or not.  That's not something HR just says and your supervisor follows, it's really the other way around.  They may be able to help you find another PT position somewhere else in the organization if there is one (and if that's what you're looking for them to do I would ask someone with the recruiting department).

RD'sgirl

thanks for the advice, ladies.

blessedinthewest

You can apply for any available PT positions or you can talk with your supervisor to see if they would be willing to let you go down to PT.  But if there isn't a current PT position available it is my understanding that they have no obligation to approve your request.

Do you know of anyone else in your workplace that has gone PT?