Tips on negotiating from FT to PT?

[kryztuh]

Any tips on negotiating from full time to part time hours? My plan is to work three days a week after I return from maternity leave. I don't necessarily think that my supervisor will agree with my plan though.

Some background: I work for a government agency. There are about 100 people in my office and no part time employees. PT is an option, but totally up to the office director's discretion. I have a lot of responsibility right now, and I think that is a concern. My wish list is to work 3 days a week, 1 of those days at home, for the next 4-5 years or so until my youngest is in school. I'm willing to take a demotion and realize all of the effects that PT will have on my retirement, health benefits, etc. I realize I may have to compromise on my ideal schedule, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask for what I really want...

Any advice besides just going in with the signed forms and my ideal schedule? I can't commit to doing the same amount of work in two less days...

[CarrieMF]

I'd go in with some valid reasons on why you going PT would benefit the company/department. Do you have a plan if they outright say no & it's either FT or you quit?

[Ellien C]

A lady in my company (where there were like NO PT office ee's) found 3 "holes" that were needed and could be done on a part-time basis. She made the pitch to her manager that there were 3 areas that could be filled on a PT basis and said she was willing to do any of them. He actually chose the one she was least interested in, but she's been doing it for 13 years and there are now 4 employees in that role. The other 3 are FT, so it really worked out.

Do you have a concrete plan on how to divide your time? What will you take one and how will the work you can't do get done? Is there anyone you could "job share" with so that you can each do the work part-time? don't be afraid of your bosses objections. listen closely to the reasons they give if they say no. Then ask if you can think about the objections, and come up with a better plan. We also had some field employees who do a job share and at first mgmt said no, but they REALLY listened to the objections and came back with a plan to fix them - including a 3 month evaluation where everyone could come back to the table if it wasn't working.