Asking to reduce days at work

[Changeychangeyname]

I’d post this on the WOHP board but it’s a bit quiet on there

I’m currently on maternity leave and not due back until September but I’ve been thinking about my options and childcare.

I work 40 hours a week although it’s probably far more due to all the unpaid overtime I do. I’d like to not work Mondays & Tuesdays and to drop down to 30 hours across Wednesday to Friday but I’m scared to ask! I can think of only two benefits to the company: 1) it would give me more time to study for the professional exams I have to do 2) I’d be more rested and so more productive but that’s all I got.

Help!

Think about their potential objections and how they could be mitigated.

Dropping only 10 hours is hard because they'll be unlikely to be able to recruit those hours from a compatible person (job share).

Unless there is less work than required by a full time person? Or extra capacity across a wide resource pool.

Would additional admin support on Monday/Tuesday help you to deliver more in your working days and offer continuity on those days? Would this work out cost neutral/saving for them.

Would your longer 3 days allow coverage across hours where s service isn't currently available?

If they are reticent as for a pilot period to be able to demonstrate that it can be made to work.

Remember once agreed it is generally permanent unless you agree a temporary time period. You might want to change again once your child/children are at school