Issues with part-time working

[Daisybell1]

I'm sure this gets asked frequently but I would really appreciate some advice over where I stand.

I returned from maternity leave in September 2012 and arranged to come back part time. Since then I have been on a 3 month trial which my boss then asked me to extend another 3 months.

The workload isn't manageable in the hours I'm doing. I can't stay late as I have to pick up from nursery so I end up working on my non-working days. My stress levels are through the roof.

As I see it, my options are: stick with my part-timeIhours and persuade my boss to find some cover for the rest of my work, or up my hours to cover it. The problem with the latter option is that I don't have any extra childcare provision.

I tried to raise the issue of a lack of resources at a team meeting but the boss gave me a warning afterwards -if I keep complaining about the lack of resources then he'll get into trouble for letting me go part-time.

Is my only option to up my hours?

The obvious solution would be a job share arrangement - would that be something that your manager would be open to? The benefits would be a shared workload, but they're not magic - they need work in terms of communication and work planning to succeed.
Selling points for your manager would be cover (usually companies would say that both job share partners don't take leave at the same time) and flexibility.
Hope that helps.

Thank you. Unfortunately he's refused to consider a job share even though the job is perfect for it as it's case based work. He's under pressure to reduce costs and by not filling the other half of my job (or getting maternity cover) its an easy saving for him.

Do you have to be in the office to work or could you finish off your work at home in the evening because you can't work late?

Thank you both. I could work from home for some things but because OH is a farmer it's not a quiet peaceful house to work in - phone/visitors/reps visiting etc etc.

I've done the prioritising thing, plus I'm going to be going though next year's work too, but it's not enough. Everything on the list is a priority...

But surely it is self-evident that if you go back to a fulltime role on a part-time basis, without any arrangement being made to cover the shortfall in hours, then you are going to end up stressed and overworked? Did you submit a formal flexible working request? It sounds as if you requested part-time hours because of childcare and wanting to work less and your boss agreed to it because he wanted to cut costs without either of you tackling the question of how the work was actually going to get done.

I think your options are either to go back to fulltime and find additional childcare or to tell your boss that 60% of your time (or whatever) equates to 60% of the work. Realistically, if you leave he will not find someone else to do a fulltime job in part-time hours or be paid a portion of a salary for fulltime hours so your position may be stronger than you think. At the moment, you have all the stress and work and a fraction of the pay so you may as well be paid for doing the work.

Remember that if you do work from home at times, you will still need childcare though. Employers don't look kindly on people working and looking after toddlers at the same time!

I feel for you. I am in a similar position. My job cannot be done in the part time hours, it is under resourced, the funding required to do it was not secured. I have had to go in on my days off and it has put a tremendous strain on my family.

I think working full time and being paid for working full time is now a better option for me

Agree with comments above that any discussion with your boss should be done by focussing on the actual facts e.g. How many cases you are handling, what porportion of your allocated hours are spent doing each task and give your boss the option to choose between options on how to move forward. Put the decsion back on him? I think it is important that you create an email trail of the decisions your boss did take or did not take when you approached him with your concerns. Draw up a table of all the tasks you did when you were full time and put alongside it all the tasks you are doing now part time so it is obvious it is just not sustainable in the hours you are being paid for. Sometimes the manager needs to see it written in black and white rather than just to dismiss your concerns. If he is really expecting you to work under that level of stress then you either have to leave or raise a grievance against him but you need to have very good evidence to support your case.
Personally I have decided to work elsewhere as I do not want to be treated like this , I am actively searching but I may have more options than you. I feel less stressed since I pointed out the facts to my boss and it was obvious then it was an issue of resources and not my time management.

Daisy before you do anything get in contact with Workingfamilies.org.uk, google them. I contacted them a couple of years ago and was able to speak direct with a legal adviser. They are experts in giving advice on combining work with bringing up children. Good luck