Work advice: part time to full time

[noodleoo]

PDQ, I might DD later.

When I had DD1, I was a SAHM for a year before going back to work part time.  I took a big step down to do so, from an engineer to a coordinator.  I didn't love engineering and I was burnt out on long commutes and working 50+ hour weeks.  My H also has a demanding job with (local) travel and it made sense for me to step back.  I have never loved this job for a few reasons, but it is a short commute, pretty low stress, and pays decent for a part time job.  But the work can be boring and it is super lonely (I work with a bunch of old men, I have no friends even after 3 years).  They have had a bunch of people in this role before, and I'm hands down the best.  I'm pretty overqualified, so I hope so!  They definitely value me, which is nice.

The issue is that I'm so good, they want me in the office more.  I currently work 3 days and I love this schedule.  Kids are only in daycare 3 days a week, I usually use one weekday to do laundry, grocery shopping, clean, etc and then one day we do something fun (playdate, zoo, etc).  The schedule was great with just DD1.  Its been tougher with 2 kids, but DD2 is only 9 months, so we haven't been able to do much due to her schedule.  Once she gets older, I feel like we'd be able to get out more.

They've been hinting at wanting me in the office more for a while, but my boss asked for real last week.  He said it was my choice, either way they have more work for me so options are 1) go up to 4 days to accommodate or 2) if I don't want to work more days, he said we could try offloading some of my more admin tasks to try to make more time on my plate.  I'm skeptical option 2 would work because that would be sending really small parts of my work to another department, which I feel is unlikely to stick or even really free up much of my time.

This also coincided with me hearing some inside info from a coworker who said that my boss's boss wants to either force me to work full time or replace me.  According to him, my boss is protecting me from boss's boss.  The coworker is kind of "doom and gloom" and basically always thinks he's going to be fired, so I take that with a grain of salt, but it does concern me.  We do need my salary, so losing this job would be bad.

So what do I do?  Truthfully, I don't really want to increase my hours right now.  Maybe in a few years when the kids are older, but not really right now.  But, I'd rather do 4 days at this job then have to look for a new job, which would likely be 5 days plus a long commute (although maybe I could find a job I actually like more? Who knows.)  I'm afraid if I choose option 2 and it doesn't work, they'll just go straight to replacing me. 

[lolo]

Is working the fourth day remotely a possibility?

[mcsangel2]

I would do my darndest to squeeze more work in in the three days you're there. Your boss is willing to try that, so do what you can to make that work.

[noodleoo]

Aug 19, 2019 22:02:12 GMT -5 lolo said:

Is working the fourth day remotely a possibility?

Possibly, although I’d still need to put the kids in daycare. There is no way I could work with them home. 

[sloan]

I would probably have a conversation with your boss about trialing option 2 for a set amount of time and reevaluating it at that point. I’m also doubtful it would work based on what you’ve said but I would hope if you seem open to taking the 4th day if it proves necessary it would keep them from going straight to replacing you, I agree 4 days at a low stress short commute gig is better than finding new and probably full time work.

Are you currently working 8 hour days? I might explore longer days over more of them if that could work.

[marie]

I think I would see if extending my work day by an hour or 2 would keep them happy. Also a 4th day at home would be great too. I know you would still have to pay daycare, but you could likely get some laundry and a few other chores done on that day.

If you really still don't like it, then you could casually start looking for other part time gigs, but at least it would be on your own timeline and not because you were let go.

[lemoncupcake]

The main downside I see to trying to do a 4th day is daycare - would they be able to accommodate you for a 4 day schedule without paying a 5 day/fulltime rate? I’ve always seen part time as 2 or 3 days, never 4.

[ECB]

I'd talk to my boss again and without outing my coworker, I'd ask more pointed questions around the future of your position. See if you can get your boss to give you more information.

[mswax]

I have a few thoughts:

1. I agree with ECB that an honest conversation with your direct boss will help to clarify the situation.

2. It seems like you like your schedule more than your job. I realize the idea of job hunting is daunting and exhausting, but finding something that brings you satisfaction in addition to a paycheck and a flexible schedule might be worth it.

3. Do you think if you were able to find a job you loved that you would be more willing to work more hours?

4. It seems like with your skills and job performance, you should be able to find a similar set-up pretty easily if this doesn't work out. Decide what is most important (this job or your current schedule) and go from there.

I don't know what field of engineering you were in, but the market is so hot right now that you might be able to negotiate a lot of flexibility if wanted to go back into the field. I think you are local to me and my company is hiring, so PM me if you're interested in that option.

[Mrs.flang]

Aug 19, 2019 23:10:24 GMT -5 sloan said:

I would probably have a conversation with your boss about trialing option 2 for a set amount of time and reevaluating it at that point. I’m also doubtful it would work based on what you’ve said but I would hope if you seem open to taking the 4th day if it proves necessary it would keep them from going straight to replacing you, I agree 4 days at a low stress short commute gig is better than finding new and probably full time work.

Are you currently working 8 hour days? I might explore longer days over more of them if that could work.

I think this is a good approach. 

Also, working remotely while your kids are in DC you should still be able to do the laundry, light cleaning on breaks, and possibly grocery shopping at lunch, so if you need to do 4 days eventually, you could try for that option.

Or, and I don't think this is really ideal but maybe something to think about, trying to negotiate for 4 days in the office, but shorter days, so that total hours don't go up that much and you have the extra time each day for the other stuff you usually do on that extra day off?

[leeluu]

I recommend sharing with your boss the rumors you heard, and tell him that you want to stay at 3 days, but if ever it comes to a point where you have to choose between 4 days or no job, you will definitely choose the 4 days. It seems like your manager is an advocate for you, in which case you want to give him all the information he needs to make sure you are happy.

[litskispeciality]

Aug 20, 2019 9:00:47 GMT -5 Mrs.flang said:

Aug 19, 2019 23:10:24 GMT -5 sloan said:

I would probably have a conversation with your boss about trialing option 2 for a set amount of time and reevaluating it at that point. I’m also doubtful it would work based on what you’ve said but I would hope if you seem open to taking the 4th day if it proves necessary it would keep them from going straight to replacing you, I agree 4 days at a low stress short commute gig is better than finding new and probably full time work.

Are you currently working 8 hour days? I might explore longer days over more of them if that could work.

I think this is a good approach. 

Also, working remotely while your kids are in DC you should still be able to do the laundry, light cleaning on breaks, and possibly grocery shopping at lunch, so if you need to do 4 days eventually, you could try for that option.

Or, and I don't think this is really ideal but maybe something to think about, trying to negotiate for 4 days in the office, but shorter days, so that total hours don't go up that much and you have the extra time each day for the other stuff you usually do on that extra day off?

Is your boss aware of the PT limits in your state? My place you can't work more than 18 hours per week PT given that we're paid for 37.5 (but work a lot more) hours per week. Just thinking will that change the schedule to reduce the hours to 4 days a week? probably not if the point in upping the days is get more work done. I worked with someone who did two long full 8 hour days and one half day to get to the 18 hours, perhaps like the others have said they're willing to do that too. Good luck!

[msmerymac]

I would see if they could compromise with some work-from-home solutions. Even though you'd still need childcare, it can help with your around-the-house stuff.

[brooke77]

So, I’m sorta in your position in a different field. I am 3.5 days and love my schedule. I have a 2 year old and am unwilling to go back full-time right now. Maybe when he’s in Kindergarten. My DH travels a good amount for work, but more importantly, being away from my kid for more days would break my heart.

I have had a lot of job opportunities fall through when I ask for a reduced schedule (80%). It’s very hard to find less than full-time positions, but that may just be my field.

I would recommend taking the admin stuff off your plate and look for new roles. If the admin stuff doesn’t work, try bumping up to 80% and still look for new roles.

Things to consider - does your childcare provider offer a 4 day a week option? Mine doesn’t, so we pay for full-time, even though he goes 4 days a week. Will your increase in pay cover the extra childcare expenses? Does going 80% make sense or will this force you full time?

[ellipses84]

I wouldn’t trust the office doomsday gossiper. I’m familiar with your industry and know part time can be hard to find. My company allows it but most people are at 32 hours, which is what I said I’d do if full time got overwhelming with young kids (I don’t mind 40 but don’t want 50 or 60!). With our part time people, it is easier on everyone else if they do 4 or 5 short days, rather than 3 long days, although I know what’s not ideal for you. Some find it’s a better daily balance with kids. Does your company give full benefits at 24 or 32 hours? If you increasing your days adds more benefits you don’t need, I think that would be incentive to keep you at less hours. If it’s a coverage issue, maybe they could hire another part time person to work in a sort of job share where one of you is always there. Another option would be to say you’ll re-evaluate in X number of months. In your situation, I wouldn’t really want to increase my hours, but would consider it with older kids. Talk to your boss, find out what is really going on and talk about possibilities.

[sassystace]

Once you lose your part-time gig, it will be hard to get it back! If you really want to stay at 3 days a week, let your boss know and hopefully you can keep it (with his lobbying to his boss) for another year. The big boss probably thinks the solution is a full time person but they are forgetting that they are lucky to have you in this position due to your qualifications.

This happened to me. My bosses boss forced me back to full time from 4 days a week. I resisted for a while with my bosses support, but eventually SHE got her way. I still hate it 8 years later, but haven't found any other reasonable part-time options.