To ask new boss if I can drop a day

[Bippity]

Started a new job a few weeks ago. Really like the job but the commute is so long and it's getting me down. I know I don't really have any right to ask before 26 weeks working here but thinking I may just ask anyway.

Wibu to ask so soon after starting? Don't want to feel awkward but it's making me miserable each day.

You can ask, but be prepared for a 'no'.

I would imagine they would say no. Surely if they only needed you for example for 4 days instead of 5 that's what they would have advertised for?

I think you have 2 choices as annoying as it is because you say you like the job.

1. Leave and find something with less of a commute.
2. Stay and endure the commute.

The likelihood of them reducing your days is pretty much 0 especially when you were aware of the commute before accepting the position On that basis I wouldn't even ask.

I'd say no harm in asking, on the other hand two weeks in isn't long, maybe after another couple you might have got used to the commute. I heard I college say once they found the commute home a good was to reflect and unwind before family duties at home. On the other hand you may keep hating it. Depends on the job but would you be able to do less days and stay longer?

how long is the commute? It does take time to get used to it, if you have only done it for a few weeks you need to give it more time just like if you weren't sure about the actual job.

Impossible to say off what you have said really. But think about what you’d have to look at for a normal flex working application and what the impacts would be on your dropping a day.

I would give yourself a bit longer to get used to it. Is there any chance you could do a day from home?

As a boss, I would be annoyed if you asked so soon after starting, but you dropping a day may well be a better option for me than you leaving and me having to re-recruit, so I wouldn't say you shouldn't ask..

How long a commute is it? Would you consider moving?
And as Tess says I'd ask for a day working from home rather than dropping a day.

Would the commute be much shorter if you avoided rush hour? You might have more luck asking to come in and leave an hour early for example, if that would make the journey time more manageable?

Can you work from home 1 day per week? Or perhaps shift your working hours?

How long is the commute?

Would you work longer days to make up the hours? Could you work on the train or from home?

I really really wouldn't. Not unless you know that the place you are working in/for already has people doing this.

Like it or not, right or wrong, it is going to look awful.

I had a 2 hr commute either way in the 90s and for the first few months I thought I was going to die. I didn't. I read lots of books.

would the role be possible one day less? Also are you prepared to lose a day's salary?- or are you asking to work from home?

Truthfully i just wouldn't.
You knew the commute and the days before you accepted. Unless circumstances have changed massively (illness in family or your pregnant) just don't.

I really can't imagine them saying yes. There is a risk they will show you the door since you are probably still in the probationary period. My logic would be if the commute is that bad you are likely to look for full-time closer to home therefore why waste more time and money training you / getting you up to speed with the company.

Thanks for all the replies. Definitely not the kind of job I can do working from home.

I knew the commute would be long but I didn't realise quite how bad it would be. I practiced it a few times before starting and it was 50 mins. Now there are some serious Road works going on that will take 2-3 years to complete. My commute is about an hour and a half each way sometimes a bit more sometimes a bit less.
Other than the boss and one team member everyone there works part time.

I have to sit professional exams at various stages and some members of the team have told me they think it will be really difficult because of how little time I get at home to study. Doesn't help that a man left on my first day because he couldn't fit in the study needed with the full time job and kids and he lived a few minutes down the road from work . Chatting to him made me realise I've taken on a bit too much I think. Almost 3 hours a day in the car with childcare drop offs and full time work plus 3 kids and lots of studying might not have been the best idea . I think I'm just panicked about it all and I'm usually pretty laid back so feeling this stressed by it all has surprised me.

I wish I could go by train so I could read but it's rural so the train would take twice as long and I the earliest train gets me there late.

I'd maybe consider asking if you could cut hours / reduce lunch break / start late & finish late so that you can study on the train.
But don't go asking to reduce days.
Another option might be to find a cheap B&B or travel lodge and work 2 long days reducing your hours on the other days.
So stay late Wednesdays night start early Thursday morning. Which also gives you some study time in Wednesday night.

Be very careful you don't blow it and have them decide to get somebody else more local esp if they are paying or helping with your studies.

Don't ask after 2 weeks. It's too soon and they might be pissed off. Maybe at 3 months ask about flexible working, working at home or a 4 day week.

Sure if they wanted a part timer they would have advertised for one but remember recruitment costs organisations time and money - if they like you they don't really want to start again. (It takes 3 months to get someone good in and adverts and the time involved in s proper process is burdensome). So prove your worth and they might be willing to accommodate you. But it does depend on the job - for some being in the office is essential.

I was going to say that it depends whether this is a job-job or a career-job; but it sounds like it is the latter. If it’s something like accountancy where you work and they out you through your professional exams then I think you need to be very clear about what your peiorities and goals are. Are you in a process of stepping up in your career after a period of taking your foot off the gas due to children etc ? If so then this is a big opportunity for you surely ? What does your partner say, is there any chance of them picking up some of the domestic pressure on you to help you through this period of focus on work ? Getting a professional qualification is a big deal and a long term investment in your future.

And either way, as a previous poster has mentioned, just bear in mind that during your probationary period and to some degree still after that for the first two years of employment it is very easy for them to get rid of you.

Crikey.
In some places I've worked, asking that would be taken as a red flag by employer and you'd be sent home having failed your probationary period for some bullshit but inarguable reason. Tread carefully. I wouldn't ask, I'd suck it up. Find out if there are any audio versions of what you need to learn for your exams. Use a dictaphone to record you doing any essay planning etc. Are there any work hours available to you for studying? Can you work flexitime and try to be earlier/later than rush hour?

I've worked in places where lots of people commuted long distances for 10+ years. So I would talk to people and find out. Certainly, asking after a couple of weeks would be frowned upon, when you took the job knowing that there was a long commute.

Cin3mama3 everyone else lives fairly local. All live within 20 mins of work.