Working Moms
eec129
member
When to bring up alternate work schedule possibilities?
eec129
member
in Working Moms
I?m sure this has been asked a million times before, so please forgive me. But when is the appropriate time to approach your manager with a new schedule proposal for after you have the baby? I know I?m ahead of the game here, but I?ve been giving this a lot of thought.
I work full-time and plan to continue to do so, or almost. I would like a schedule that would keep me in the office only 4 days a week, either working nine hour days (32-36 hours per week, would take a salary cut) or one day of working at home (LO at daycare).
For those who have done this, would you present one option with an alternate option? Obviously, there is a chance they won?t accept anything, but I think it?s worth a try anyway.
Thanks!
DD: 1/8/12
DS: 3/12/14
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Re: When to bring up alternate work schedule possibilities?
As soon as I told my supervisor that I was pregnant, I also told him that I would like to disuss the option of working part time. I told him that I would notify him in writing of my proposal. I followed up a couple of weeks later with a written proposal that I also forwarded to our two other bosses. My proposal was accepted and everything went into effect during my maternity leave.
Do you have any idea if either option will be accepted? Is there anyone else in your company on a similar schedule? If I were you, I'd put in writing your first choice and if they don't like it then offer the other option.
I work a 4-day week, 9 hours M-TH and 1.5 hours from home on F (we work a 37.5 hour FT week). I brought up the possibility of an altered schedule to my boss mid-way through my first pg. A couple of weeks after initiating the discussion, I submitted my proposal. We already had the precedent of altered schedules but everyone's was different. I modeled my own schedule after was I thought would be most efficacious for my position and my needs (but only focused on the former in my proposal). Personally, I would only put the option you really want in your proposal. If they decline that, then you can always come back with a second proposal.
I don't know if anyone else is on a special schedule. I work for a smaller company (about 100 people) so there aren't other employees that I know of that have newborns or babies. No one in my department does.
I feel like I'd have a better chance at a condensed schedule, but I'm not totally sure. I plan to present it as I will work extra hours to get my job done if need be (if schedule is condensed, though I hope that doesn't happen - but that will answer the question of how I will do my job in fewer hours). I feel like 36 hours might be more accepted than 32. I wouldn't mind doing 4 nine hour days. It will be a win-win...the company pays me less and I get the same amount of stuff done!
In a well-run company alternative schedules are available to ALL employees (whose work functions permit it), and do not consider the employee's parenthood status. You're probably best off presenting it that way.
It does say in our handbook that alternative schedules are permitted on a case-by-case basis...I just don't know of anyone off-hand that does a condensed schedule. People have all different set hours, though.
I wouldn't present this too soon - you don't want them to think that you can go 40 hours of work in 32 hours, or they may cut your pay and schedule.