Part Time Working - XPost from Working Moms

AZAmy77

I would ideally like to go back to work part time, I was thinking like 24 hours a week. 

1 - I'm guessing I should discuss this with my work place pretty soon here, when did you approach the subject at work?  (I work in a team where all of us can do the same things as each other, so not especially worried about having replacement, but it is a technical position so there aren't too many part time workers, I'm hoping that since I've been here 10 years they will be flexible with me)

2 - I'm considering either 3 8-hour days or 4 6-hour days a week.  The 3 days seems better for saving money on daycare, but how much time would I typically be pumping at work?  I also have about a 30 minute commute each way, so it could be a long day?  Any opinions on what you think would work best for you?

JuneNYbaby

Personally I would think 3 days would be best. If you work 4 days a week I guarantee you will feel like you're working a full time job even though they're 6 hour days.

Calysto999

I am going back to work f/t after leave, but my hubby is working PT until we settle into a schedule. I would recommend setting up a meeting w. your boss and letting them know you would like to adjust your hours to 24 and be ready to present a few schedules (3x8 or 4x6) which will allow your boss to see how that impacts coverage overall on the team. I think the sooner the better to have the talk. PT workers sometimes don't get the same benefits and if you are exempt, may move into hourly status. I have no idea about a pumping schedule, but (and I assume you work in a corporate environment) should be able to pump every few hours as needed. My hubby commutes ~40 minutes each way and we primarily made the decision to reduce daycare costs - and the reduction is significant. Good luck!

Jtaxson

Your boss may want a say. I went back for 3x 8 hr for the first 2 years and it was awesome. I then took on an additional day. I find having 2 days off gives you much more QT than the 4 short days. Plus most daycares charge the same for 4 days of care as they do for 5.

AZAmy77

Thanks all.  Yes, I know boss may have a preference, just figured I would get input on what everyone else thought as well.  Hoping we can work something out, at least for a year and then re-evaluate.