Present a solid plan to transition from full to part time

I’ve been working full time for the same company for almost ten years and now would like to go to part-time.  My kids are involved in a lot of activities and it’s important to me to experience these special times with them.  I want to keep my job because I love it, but am seriously considering leaving to get reduced hours.  I’ve always gone the extra mile, including extra hours, and will continue to do that.  My performance reviews have always been great.  My co-workers say this has never been done in this company and it’s not going to happen now.  What can I do?

Maintaining a balance between family and work is an ongoing challenge for employers and employees alike.  Both know that their success is dependent on meeting the needs of each other.   Schedule a meeting with your employer to discuss your request.  Then, plan for the meeting using these strategies:

Look at the big picture – Try to think beyond your needs.  Consider external factors like impact on customer service, as well as internal factors like production, employee scheduling and workloads, and available resources.

Highlight what makes you a valuable asset – Point to your longevity with the company, your outstanding work record, and your willingness to do extra when needed.  Employers want to keep good employees and are often willing to explore mutually workable options.

Consider multiple options – perhaps part-time is not the only choice.  What about a change in your current work schedule, flexible scheduling to work around family commitments, or job sharing?  Can any work be done remotely from home to reduce travel time and increase time at home?

Prepare a strong, objective case for your idea – Use data that clearly defines costs and benefits of your proposal.  Be prepared to identify positive, achievable outcomes like potential reductions in employee benefit costs, efficiencies gained in function reassignment or avoiding recruitment and training costs that currently average 150% of salary.

Invite questions - Anticipate and be prepared to answer the questions your employer is likely to ask such as “How will the work get done?”  “Will I have to hire another person or pay overtime?”  “Will added responsibilities place stress on other employees?”  It shows you have done your homework and that you have considered your employer’s needs along with your own.

Working together you and your employer can find the balance you both need.