Do I tell them it's PT or nothing?

[britgirl1982]

Hello
Would like a bit of advice..

Am currently on ML with my first child who's just turned 3m.

I have a meeting with HR next week to discuss my return, and I've already mentioned that I'd like to request returning PT. I've been in my job for 3 years so they legally have to consider this request, but they don't have to agree.

Thing is, DH and I have agreed that I'm only prepared to return to work after ML if I can go back PT - we're not prepared to put DD in childcare for 70+ hrs a week (which is what I'd be working/commuting - DH works even longer hours and travels a lot so is no use for childcare).

My question is - do you think I should tell work about this decision? Or should I just leave them with the impression that I'd prefer PT but would also return if only FT was possible?

My concern is that if I tell them, they'd use it as an excuse to get rid of me (by only offering me FT work): I don't think my bosses were too impressed with my pregnancy or me whilst I was pregnant (I was pretty ill so had time off/my work suffered). I appreciate that this is discrimination but I'd never be able to prove it (I'm a corporate lawyer so it'd be easy for them to claim that working PT didn't suit the needs of the business and therefore legally refuse my request). However, I'm also concerned that if I don't stress how important working PT is for me, they won't appreciate this and so only offer me FT...

Any advice/views welcome. Thanks.

xx

Depends how strong your negotiating stance is. Your the lawyer so should be good at working this out. My advice is don't play hard ball unless your willing to walk if they say no otherwise you'll never be able to front it out there.

If the choice is PT or nothing and you think they want to keep you then play hard ball. If not consider other options, working from home. DD not in care for 70 hours and you still full time and contactable. Even if you had to get a nanny in for those days you'd still be around her so not like she's in care.

Although...

"I'm a corporate lawyer so it'd be easy for them to claim that working PT didn't suit the needs of the business and therefore legally refuse my request"

Well if they think it would be detrimental to the business that would indeed be a valid reason and therefore not illegal ;)

My first piece of advice is that you need to think about how you put your case across. Please don't take this the wrong way (I'm trying to be contructive) but the way you've worded your post is 'give me what I want, or I'm off'.

Rather than concentrating on 'how important PT working is for you', you need to show your company how PT hours won't have a detrimental impact on their business. YOu need to think about their objections provide counter-objections.

I think you should put across your case and afterwards mention that you may not be able to return. But don't make this the basis of your argument. Remember that nobody is an organisation is indespensible and in you go in there and try and hold them to ransom (which is essentially what that strategy is) you may not get the result you want.

Agree.

If they want you enough, they'll agree to p/t unless it's detrimental to the business/other colleagues etc

By coming across as though you want to hold them to ransom, you're more likely to get off on the wrong footing and not achieve what you want to get across

I'm a lawyer, I do get it, and I realise your post wasn't about this specifically, but I would concur about attitude being key. I don't think "only full time or I'm leaving" is constructive, or the best way of getting what you want.

I have colleagues in corporate who don't work full time, it is do-able. But I think you are risking going into it with the wrong attitude. You need to be thinking "part time is great for me, and I can make it work for this firm". I have said before on here that when I first requested pt (many moons ago) it took a bit of persuasion, but I got an agreement I was happy with. I had thought through every question they had and had answers.

Have you thought about the practicalities.

How many days do you want? Which day of the week? Which day is best for clients (presumably not Fridays). How will you cover your day(s) off? What about blackberry and remote access? Who in your team can cover for you in a development opportunity for them? When you need to leave, will you log back on in the evening?

If you haven't, those are the things to spend your time working on, not whether to say "X or I'm off"

Thanks all - think my post came across a bit more bullish than I meant it to!! Am not particularly good at all the office politics, so really appreciate the advice. Will make sure to tone it down a bit...

xx