Reducing work hours

[PeppyAmberKoala]

My youngest child has recently been having a very hard time in school, for her wellbeing we have decided to homeschool her along with a tutor. This would mean I need to reduce my working days to be able to teach her from 5 to 3, I work for someone who is also my friend and no she will struggle to get my shifts covered, but I do know there are others who could cover me. I feel terrible that I may have to reduce my hours but also feel that my daughter needs my full support right now and homeschooling is not something that children can do alone, she is 15 so perhaps in time once we have a routine going I may be able to pick up an extra day. I am worried that my boss/friend will not understand and still try and get me to work or the impact this will have on our friendship but my daughter must come first. How do I approach this with my boss or am I overthinking this?

I'd say have a meeting with her and say exactly that...you want to reduce your days to support your daughter from x date. Go with days that you can do and ask this to be your set working pattern.

If she says it can't be accommodated, put a formal flexible working request in and if it is still denied, then you may have to resign.

Just be honest. I'm sure if she can make it work, she will, if she can't then you'll need to resign. I appreciate it is more awkward because she's a friend but it's business, she's your employer so treat her like that and expect her to treat you the same.

In all honesty, if your boss is reasonable, she'll understand and respect your decision. If she can give you reduced hours without ruining the business, she will. If she really can't then you will have to stop working, find a different part-time job, or decide that you can't home educate your child at the moment.