How to express wanting an extra day work in my P/T role

[fancyaflatwhite]

I work 3 days a week in a senior role. The job was originally advertised as full-time with flexibility, and the boss asked what my ideal was - it was then 3 days a week and they obliged, but have since taken people on.

Looking ahead to when my DD starts school in Sept, I'll be able to work 4 days and would like to ask for that. I think the company will want/need that - but don't want to assume, or come across as entitled. For context, I'm doing well in the job and had a very positive 1-year review.

How should I word the email expressing my new availability to the boss? thanks!

Check to see if your organisation has a right to request flexible working process as this usually has a standard form for changes of working pattern. Any change of working hours is covered by the right to request flexible working increasing or decreasing hours/days etc.

If there isn’t a form, structure the request as follows:
current working pattern
new working pattern - what you are requesting
when you would like to start
how your job can be restructured I.e. what extra work you will be able to do
business benefits.

Yes to what PP said but don’t be surprised if DD needs you more when she starts school! I could not believe how much less time I had.

m I am going to assume you are the main carer for DD… it was a bit of a shock to us how much less flexible school was than the childminder. I mean drop off and pick up if that makes sense.

I didn’t want DC at after school club all evening so they were usually picked up at 1630 latest. The litany of illness was wild. I had run out of compassionate /parents leave by the December.

I managed to increase my hours after the Feb half term.

Just ask...I increased my days from 3 up to 4 in August. The workload was there and budget available so my work were more than happy to up my hours.

You can request it but they don't need to give it.

However my advice would be to wait until January to up your hours. Kids are exhausted that first term and they have homework to do. And they have so many days of in Scotland it's at least one day per calender month that you might prefer the status-quo. Or as one colleague did worked 5 half days so she was able to do drop-off and pick-up every day, reverting to 3 days in the holidays.

As others have said, if you can afford to wait till after Christmas then that’s worth doing. They usually love school but many get tired and cranky, and get all of the illnesses. Which surprised me as mine had been to nursery but I guess they’re even more on top of each other in school. If it’s needs must then yes, just a brief email asking if it’d be possible to up your hours to x from September and what you may be able to with extra time would usually do. Or speak to your line manager if you get on.

Hi xxxxx

Do you have time this week for a chat about my hours. I would like to discuss the possibility of increasing them and need to understand if this would be possible in my current role or if there are any other opportunities you think I would be suitable for that may be coming available.

Looking forward to speaking to you.

Kind regards

Xxxx

You need to have a theory on how this will be good for the business. How will it be good for them. How will they justify the addition expense and get it authorised?

They are less interested in how it will work
For you.

I agree with making sure you understand that it is FAR harder, childcare- wise once the dc start school, than it is when they are at Nursery / Childminder.

But if you are in a senior role, then surely your best route is to present to your Managers the case s to why the role needs expanding, from their business pov. Then you hint that, if you can negotiate the terms, you might be willing to take on the 'extra role' that is needed to take the business forwards.

The business - which it seems has already made quite a few adjustments so you could work 3 days, isn't really interested in you now wanting to work an extra day. You need to help them understand why they need an extra 8 hours worth of whatever it is your skill is each week, and then come to them with a way of solving that issue.

Wait and see how things pan out with school. You might find that you like picking DD up and extra day off gives you time to get stuff done during day, but you're also able to do occasional play date, trip to park after school etc..

Also lots of people doing 4 days seem to end up pretty much FT. I think 3 days is more definite it's PT.

Also what about school hols & sick bugs? Easier to cover 3 days.

Before you go straight for four days, perhaps consider whether 3.5 days over four days might give you a bit more flexibility around drop offs/pick ups etc. As others have said, they can be exhausted in that first term.
It might be obvious, but also think about what you'll do in the school holidays for childcare. Will your DD be happy going to clubs for 4 days a week. And will you be happy only doing fun things on the fifth day/ when you have annual leave?
DC1 is going into Yr8 in September and I think that this is the first year since she started school that I haven't had to ask to flex my work pattern to accommodate different activities, childcare plans etc. I'm fortunate and neither of the places I've worked have required it to be done by way of formal flexible working request. It's just been agreed that I will finish 20 mins earlier so need to start that but earlier or that I'll change my regular working from home day etc

Honestly - I’d stick with 3 until school is settled. I find 4 tricky with childcare etc.

3 was so much more flexibility.