Tips to Transition to A Part-Time, Flex-time, Work Schedule

Advice For Changing Your Work Schedule

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

I currently work full-time but really want to be home more for my kids. I love my job and definitely want to keep it, but I'm considering asking my boss if I can switch to part-time. Do you have any advice for how I can approach my boss with this topic and make it sound most appealing to him?

Sincerely,

Downsizing Job

Dear Downsizing Job,

Whenever you want to transition from one situation to the next, it's good to be clear about what you want, and what you're willing to settle for. When women decide to transition from a static work schedule to a flex-time work schedule, or from being a stay at home mom to a flex-time work schedule, there are things to consider.

What to think about when transitioning:

* What do you want your work week to look like? Really think this through because women often have a tendency to take on more than they can really handle. Boundaries are tough for a lot of women.

* What are you just not willing to do? If a 40-hour work week is out of the question, be clear on that. How about a 30-hour work week?

* What hours are you willing to take/make calls? What hours are you willing to take/make meetings? What hours are you will to read/write/research? Be clear on this so you can communicate easily and well.

* How much travel are you willing to do for work? What weeks/months/days are you not willing to travel?

* What kind of salary or payment schedule do you want? What are you willing to settle for?

The best way to sell something is to be completely honest about the benefits and the deficits. If your boss feels you are being honest with him or her, they will be less likely to look for the hidden agenda because you won't have one. Everything will be on the table. Do your work for your boss in presenting this plan, so your boss doesn't have to do it.

Tell your boss the benefits. Here are some possible ones:

*When you are working, your work will be uninterrupted and more productive.

* Your boss will have you working for them, rather than have to replace you with someone new who is an unknown and untrained commodity.

* You may be saving your company money, but still delivering the same -- or often more because you're working the hours you can actually work, not the hours your office requires you to work.

Tell your boss the downfalls:

*You won't be available 24/7.

* You may be mistaken about this being a good change. If so, you'd like to reassess in six months, but for now, you'd like to try this.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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