scared to ask to go part-time

[postitgirl]

So I want to go part-time, maybe 3.5 days. The thing is I'm full time at the moment, but I just dont' have enough to do, I'm so bored, so I'm thinking it shouldnt be a problem. I'm just scared to ask my team leader. I think she is going to shut it down straight away as apparently she was the one who lobbied for a full time post for my job. Before me there was just one part-time person. I know, I should just ask, she can only say no, right. Any tips on how to ask in the 'right way'. My workload has also officially decreased as I've lost some work. But I tried to say it to her before, but she wouldnt hear of it, and is always saying how busy she is, and how it's not fair that she doenst have as many staff as other departments. I've offered to take over some of her work but she keeps it close, and she often does some of my work for me. I need to just bite the bullet and ask I guess. Have any of you had unexpected responses when you've asked for similar in work?

[denverRegina]

Can the stuff you want to do be done whilst working from home? If so ask for that first!

[Speakuptomakeyourselfheard]

Tell her that if she didn't keep stealing your work to make herself look 'so busy', you wouldn't need to go part time, but you're bored, bored, bored!! She sounds like a lot of bosses in this situation, an 'empire builder'. She makes out to her boss that she simply doesn't get a moment to herself, so that she gets to employ someone new, making herself look so important, but then she can't let go of her work load, so you end up twiddling your thumbs! Been there, done that, ended up leaving the job altogether, through complete boredom.

[postitgirl]

I'm working from home at the moment so can fill the time at the moment, but we're going back to the office soon and tbh I'm dreading all the staring into space and pretending to be busy. I have something else I want to do when I go part-time. So you think not to mention the workload at all? I was thinking of saying I could do the work in less days, so it would be a win-win for everyone. I dont think they have a flexible working plan I'll have to check. When I took the job the team leader said there wasnt one.

[SpringButterfly]

It's good if you could have a reason that you want to go part time like do you have a relative that you care for or a creative interest you want to give more time to or to increase your fitness because you are worried about a health problem, or more time with your kids, or a less stressful life to help try for a baby or a less stressful life for your own mental health?

When I went part time I mentioned one of the reasons above because if the employer is given a reason they should be more likely to agree than just "because I want to be here less".

[ForTheLoveOfWine]

Or get a new job?

[ForTheLoveOfWine]

Don’t mention workload just ask if you can go part time, they can then apply for another part time job share if they wish

[PanamaPattie]

Why don't you bring in a book to fill your time?

[MrsPinkCock]

Ask for a copy of their flexible working policy.

You have a statutory legal right to request the variation you want. They don’t have to agree, but it shouldn’t make you nervous to ask. Just make sure you fill your application with objective reasons that the working pattern you want will be successful.