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Original poster

Anyone drop a management role to go part time

28 replies

Bluberry · 04/04/2013 05:10

I've always been career minded...until I had dd.

I've told my work I will be returning full time and I meant every word until recently. I've he's blood sweat and tears for my job but I just can't imagine giving the same when I go back. I think I'll regret not spending time with my daughter.

I'm going to chat to my boss about going 4 days or even 3 days under my current role in management but I'm fully prepared for this to be rejected.

Has anyone else put their career on ice and managed to build it back up when their children have grown up?

OP posts:
AndMiffyWentToSleep · 04/04/2013 06:08

Why can't you have a part-time management role?

chickensaladagain · 04/04/2013 06:25

I was a part time manager for 5 years when the dcs were small

Ask the question, you might be surprised by the answer

nellyjelly · 04/04/2013 06:39

Me. They wouldn't let me do manager job pt. so dropped a grade so could have a better work/life balance. Have to say I miss the management riole but will try and get back on the career rollercoaster when DS older. You don't get that time back and they are little for such a short time.

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 04/04/2013 07:02

Four days is a nightmare, workload doesn't get reduced, just the pay...it doesn't seem to be perceived as part-time, so be careful of that, you'll be run ragged.

If you can afford to, take the down grade and enjoy the time with your child, you can never get that time back, but you can re-climb the career ladder.

StealthPolarBear · 04/04/2013 07:18

"I'm going to chat to my boss about going 4 days or even 3 days under my current role in management but I'm fully prepared for this to be rejected. "

Presumably you're going to go to your boss with how you'll make this work, and make it sound like a positive thing? You may be surprised!

Original poster
Bluberry · 04/04/2013 07:31

I don't think part time manager is an option. I am going to ask about it and request it but my manager has said previously before I was pregnant that there was no place for a part time manager there. She pretty much defies all unions and gets her own way.

I could afford 3 days on a management salary but only 4 if I was to drop a grade bi agree Lifeisbetterinflipflops, I'm sure 4 days will be almost the same

OP posts:
Original poster
Bluberry · 04/04/2013 07:32

I really hope I. An persuade her but can't think how I can prove it

OP posts:
Original poster
Bluberry · 04/04/2013 07:33

Sorry that should read-
I really hope I can persuade her

OP posts:
BranchingOut · 04/04/2013 07:34

Is there someone else who might want to step up to fill in the role for the rest of the week?

StealthPolarBear · 04/04/2013 07:35

Wel if you don't think you can do your job part time, then you can't persuade her!
If you do think it can be done, then putting your reasons in writing will help clarify (I'd do this over a chat) and she'll have to formally respond, giving clear business reasons for saying no

Original poster
Bluberry · 04/04/2013 07:36

I'm hoping this might be the case. I don't intend on returning to work until jan but do you think it's better to talk to my manager now rather than later so things can be put in place?

OP posts:
celebmum · 04/04/2013 07:45

I gave up my maanagement role for a lower graded role i was working a 50+ hr week (only 40hrs paid mind!) long days and huge stresses. i wasnt prepared to do.this with a baby so i presented a case for p/t. this was declined. there were no positions available in the next grade down so i took one below that even.
Im on mat leave now with child no2 and due to return at the end of the year to the same role.
its not easy mind. i work hard, really hard to get where i was. and it was difficult stepping down and not being 'incharge'. i had to take instruction from those i'd trained/employed.

Original poster
Bluberry · 04/04/2013 07:48

Thanks calebmum. This will probably be the case for me. It will be really awkward for other staff I think and those that I've trained and managed but all I care about now is my baby and having more of a work life balance.

I am worried about money though and we will miss out on holidays, extras and luxuries if I go 3 days. 4 won't be so bad I don't think

OP posts:
onedev · 04/04/2013 13:32

If you're not due back until January, then I'd suggest waiting until closer to the time to discuss it as feelings can change throughout your maternity period. Not saying you'll change your mind, but more time keeping your options open is beneficial in my opinion.

baffledmum · 04/04/2013 20:31

Can I ask what you are a "manager" of? People? Systems? Do you have a capable deputy at the moment? Do you have a local or a national remit?

I planned to work p-t over 5 days when my DD was small. I tried it in a national role in the private sector. I had a team of over 80 in total with 15 direct reports. It was a disaster and needed full-time committment.
I became pregant quite quickly with my son and saw it out.

After returning from my second mat leave I took on a project management role with the same business but originally at 2 days per week and have built back up to 4. No direct reports and no people to manage. Job on a lifetime which I love. I still have a national remit but the fact that I project manage and can dictate meeting times and schedules is a contributor to the balance I now have.

I wish you every luck in reaching the decision that is best for you and your family.

Original poster
Bluberry · 04/04/2013 20:37

It's actually a management role in a school. That's why I feel I need to speak to my manager (headteacher) ASAP as she is thinking about September even though I don't know how I'll feel later in the year.

OP posts:
holidaysdistantmemory · 04/04/2013 20:41

I got a new job after having ds, 3 days a week and manager of a team of full time lawyers. Works for me, not a problem for anyone. Approach postively, build a business case, if you truly believe you can do it. I sense (esp in these times) that once you get demoted, either out of choice or forced upon you, its a lot bloody harder to get promoted again. Good luck.

TheFallenMadonna · 04/04/2013 20:42

Depends on your role I think. I am a HOD for a core subject, and definitely wouldn't be countenanced. A smaller curriculum area possibly. Pastoral, definitely not.

GemmaTeller · 04/04/2013 20:50

I carried on in my management position when I went down to three days a week (my choice and my idea)

I put forward a plan with actions for all negative senarios (sp?) that might have cropped up and how it wouldn't detract from the running of the office.

I was allowed to trial it on a one month then three month basis before doing it full time.

I had to be flexible to cover the other two days or swap my days around in emergencies and be able to take and deal with the odd phone call. We had a Monday morning catch up meeting and a Wednesday afternoon planning meeting.

I managed a finance office of five people dealing with lots of off site/satellite contacts.

nellyjelly · 04/04/2013 21:51

Just be careful though. We had a change in senior management and I founf myself totally sidelined due to pt hours.

Libby10 · 05/04/2013 12:35

Have you thought about asking if they would consider a job share?

Original poster
Bluberry · 05/04/2013 14:14

A job share is a good idea. I think that's how I will put it to the head. I'm having to wait until after the hols to talk about it

OP posts:
limon · 05/04/2013 19:18

I went back four days (previously five) as a senior manager. My days at work are very busy bit my day at home with DD is worth it.

MrsTeddy · 05/04/2013 19:24

I work part time (4 days) in a management role and have just been promoted whilst on mat leave for the second time. As others have said, it is possible but you do need a fairly enlightened employer and supportive direct manager, otherwise it can be hellish. And you will need to be flexible and demonstrate that the arrangement will work for your employer as well as for you. Your employer should give your proposal a fair hearing and it's a shame that you seem sure it will be rejected out of hand, although I am not surprised you feel that way.

You may find it it easier than you anticipate, for example I often finish work earlier during the day, see kids, do bath and bed and then work in the evenings. So I am often working until the wee hours but I do get time with my kids which I know I am v lucky to get whilst continuing my career. And you do have to be frighteningly organised!

In my job I do a lot of work around trying to improve female talent retention (not something my industry - law - is historically very good at) and I really wish people (and not only women) would try harder to push for part time management roles instead of assuming they'll be told it's not possible. If more of us did part time management and showed how well it can be done, it would hopefully become accepted practice.

Yardley · 05/04/2013 19:24

I did.Ive loved spending the extra time with the DD's, (but had to go from a very senior job to a very junior one to do it-due not only to job but to commute, lack of jobs where I actually live etc etc).That said the junior job has driven me up the wall with boredom so back to full time work I go in a few weeks....Looking forward to it but feel crushingly guilty about choosing this over being there to pick the DD's up daily etc....am going to see which wins out, job satisfaction or guilt about not being at home.Feel like I actually cant win either way!

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