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Working Moms
storm08
member
going full time to part time discussion advice
storm08
member
I have been waffling on asking about a part time schedule since B was about 6 months, and finally shelved the idea until the next child was born because I felt like I waited too long. I'm now pregnant with # 2, and feel like I should have this discussion with my boss sooner rather than later. I kind of like the idea of working 75-80% time, either 4 days a week or 6 hours a day.
The main focus of my job is to teach 2 week (duration) training courses. I teach ~18 weeks/year. When I am not teaching, none of my responsibilities are day-to-day critical. I update course material, incorporate new released software/hardware into my courses, prep the lab for my upcoming courses, and provide support to the manufacturing team. Some of those responsibilities require me to be at the office, but when I'm not actually delivering training I have a tendency to work from home ~ 1 day/week.
I'd like to go to my boss with a proposed plan as I figure that might make it easier to say yes. While this may be more difficult for us (my family) to figure out daycare wise I was thinking of suggesting the following: After returning from maternity leave I would work my normal 40+ hours a week during teaching weeks. During non-teaching weeks, I would like to work either 6 hours a day or 4 days a week (preferred). On the reduced schedule weeks, I would check my work phone (with e-mail) at naptime and in the evening to respond to any critical messages. I was also going to suggest that we try this on a trial period (3 months), and revisit the situation with my boss. Realistically this would be a permanent change as I figure working shorter days during my non-teaching weeks would make picking kids up from school/going to sporting events etc easier when the kids are older.
The main focus of my job is to teach 2 week (duration) training courses. I teach ~18 weeks/year. When I am not teaching, none of my responsibilities are day-to-day critical. I update course material, incorporate new released software/hardware into my courses, prep the lab for my upcoming courses, and provide support to the manufacturing team. Some of those responsibilities require me to be at the office, but when I'm not actually delivering training I have a tendency to work from home ~ 1 day/week.
I'd like to go to my boss with a proposed plan as I figure that might make it easier to say yes. While this may be more difficult for us (my family) to figure out daycare wise I was thinking of suggesting the following: After returning from maternity leave I would work my normal 40+ hours a week during teaching weeks. During non-teaching weeks, I would like to work either 6 hours a day or 4 days a week (preferred). On the reduced schedule weeks, I would check my work phone (with e-mail) at naptime and in the evening to respond to any critical messages. I was also going to suggest that we try this on a trial period (3 months), and revisit the situation with my boss. Realistically this would be a permanent change as I figure working shorter days during my non-teaching weeks would make picking kids up from school/going to sporting events etc easier when the kids are older.
Does that sound reasonable? Do I need to consider anything else when talking to my boss?
ETA for clarity: On reduced schedule weeks would be working 4 days a week or 5 days at 6 hours a day, from the office. For a 4 day week, on the day off I would check in at naptime and at night (which I already do if I work from home or during a normal week anyway), but I figured I should be clear that I would still be reachable if something critical came up. For 6 hour days, I would check in again at night. So I would only be working 75-80% time on weeks that I am not teaching, not overall 75-80% time. If that makes sense.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: going full time to part time discussion advice
Since you are salary, I agree with the above...switching from 100% to 75% to 100% to 75% is most likely going to cause a headache. On October 1, I will be going to a reduced time and effort (70%). I will be in the office 2 full days and then 3 half days. The reason I'm doing this is because I had a part-time opportunity come up at a new hospital and I will end up bringing more $$ doing a part-time/part-time schedule. Plus, when the twins come, the schedule will allow me to work alternative days/hours and limit childcare costs.
Your skillset (how replaceable you are) will definitely factor in, IMO. I will sound cocky when I say this but my boss would not be able to find one person to fill my shoes - I know that and she knows that and it definitely worked in my favor.