NPALR: Cautiously Optimistic! (sorry it's long!)

JulyMomma2U2 · June 2013

Not sure how much I posted about this on PAL since it's pretty OT, but I know I mentioned it in a few comments here and there to others.. anyway, I put in a request to switch to p/t after LO#2 comes and I return back to work.. long story short, my director declined my request and DH and I decided I was going to take a year or 2 off and then return to the work field.

I've "slowly" been letting it leak that come January I'll be leaving.. initially I just told my close friend colleagues.. of the few I shared it with, I kept being told over and over again that maybe once my senior manager and director realize the implications of not approving this request (i.e., me leaving), they'll be willing to negotiate more. I wasn't holding out hope on that.. and, it sort of offended me that my colleagues are implying that my senior manager and director think I'm bluffing..

Anyway.. about 2 weeks ago I was talking to a project lead I'm working with.. she was talking about staffing me on x, y and z projects when I come back and what projects she wants me on for the new year, etc.. and she casually asked if I was coming back.. to which I replied.. I'll be here through December. She was very sad to hear this.. and actually was annoyed with my director for denying my request.. everytime we've spoken since then, she keeps saying "I really dont know what we're going to do without you".. it's nice to see how many people "appreciate" me within the group.. but, tbh, it's still a slap in the face that they denied my request..

Today my senior manager and I met and the part time discussion came up. I'm guessing she "got wind" that I'm seriously leaving in January because she seemed a lot more "on my side" now and all about trying to work out a compromise that benefits both me and the group.. basically, she's going to reach out to HR and find out how we can convert my position to a job share and then open a posting to find someone who'd be interested in working p/t the 2 days a week that I'd be off.. she said she wants to gather all the information needed about how to go about doing such, get HR involved, etc and then meet with my director so that we have all the answers and he "can't say no"..

Fingers crossed this will work out! If not, I'm still excited to be taking a year or 2 off, but financially, and "career wise" making part time work would be infinitely more beneficial! It would allow me to continue carrying our benefits, continue with my 401K and pension, still bringing in 60% of my salary, etc. Now, I'm just hoping in such a poor economy we should be able to find someone interested in accepting the 2days/week position.. but, who knows..

There are still a lot of "ifs".. the director would have to approve it.. I'd have to find someone that "wants" the position and hope they are qualified enough to take it on, etc.. so, yes.. cautiously optimistic I am

Mom2anAngel2 · June 2013

I hope it works out for you. I also went to 60 percent when I went back to work. My boss wasn't completely on board with it, but did not want me to leave. I completely get the feeling of being appreciated. It does make you feel good. GL!