Advice needed from those in HR and those who have negotiated a reduced workload or reduced time commitment

Anonymous

October 6,2022 at 8:32PM UTC

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Advice needed from those in HR and those who have negotiated a reduced workload/time commitment

I am a senior level individual contributor at a pretty large company. I am also a mom of two kids in elementary school. I’ve recently decided I no longer want to work during my kids’ breaks from school. My current role does not include sufficient time-off allotment to provide for that. While I am well aware that I can look for a different job or start freelancing in my field, before I do either of those, I’d like to approach my employer about modifying both my work load and time commitment.

I’d love suggestions for how to pitch this or examples of how it might work.

(Also, I know I’ll take a pay cut. For me, it is absolutely worth it. After having to take an unpaid leave for medical issues years ago, I’ve shifted my family’s finances so that we are not fully reliant on having both salaries.)

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AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 9:16PM UTC
I love that you want to do this and stay at your job. I did this for a different reason at a former job. I was nervous walking in there to ask, and hesitated as I asked, but was granted a yes.
Things that were to my advantage was sharing the amount of hours of things I was doing outside this full time job. My boss said he did not realize how much I was doing. He also knew I was good at my job and that the work would still get done. In your talk I would have an outline of how this would work, how tasks would still get done. Or who you would be able to delegate too when you are not in. My boss wanted me in the office every day, but was flexible with my hours. So I set a schedule and stuck too it. Coming in late or early depending on the day of the week.
The important thing is to have some idea of a plan. When you will transition and how. This will start the conversation and you will find out if they are open to this idea or not.
Good luck : )
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 11:40PM UTC
I've actually been exactly where you are and what I did that worked really well is develop a process across critical teams who were extremely well trained and extremely well versed in working with remotely contractors and resourceful enough to provide cross team support. It took 6 to 8 months to really hone this agility and skill between myself across the organization that didn't diminish my contribution but allowed a reduction in the day to day attention and involvement by me.
Once I completed that polish of existing teams coordination I was allowed to transition to a Contractor with the flexibility to step back and at times out of the picture while still maintaining my role as a high level individual contributor.
I created a proposal that left a lot of areas for leadership to shape and in the end it accommodated me and benefitted the company but not watching me take my legacy knowledge out the door.
Hope this gives you food for thought.
Approach this creatively and remain open because you'll be surprised at where your support will come from.
AnonymousOctober 8,2022 at 1:44AM UTC
This is excellent advice and so encouraging! I thoroughly appreciate you sharing.
AnonymousOctober 8,2022 at 2:02AM UTC
Just remember you are extremely valuable to the company. That value is not diminished by reducing your hours.
Barb HansenOctober 6,2022 at 11:46PM UTC
It's okay to ask for what you want in life - including what you want from your job.
Schedule a meeting with your manager
Have your plan ready:
-when you want to work/how many hours
-what parts of your current job will need to move over to others
-how you think your new work plan affect your wage/benefits
-I would also mention the reason why you want reduce hours (you like your job and you need more time off for family commitments)
Present your plan to your manager
Ask them if what you want to do is possible.
If yes, great, you get to move forward
If no, ask them if it's possible to do a job-share with someone else. A job share option might be a great option - if your company would work a job share.
If no, ask them what they suggest. Your manager might have a few ideas that you didn't think of.
Good luck. Working fewer hours is wonderful if you can make it work. I worked 50/50 job share for a few years when my kiddo's were young and it was great!
AnonymousOctober 8,2022 at 1:43AM UTC
Thank you so much for sharing your advice. I really appreciate it.