When to ask for part-time & WFH

[lilacmamacat]

I'm nearly 60 (even saying that makes me feel awful) and just had my position made redundant. There's no scope for a different role in the same company so I'm definitely leaving. I currently work a 4 day week.

Haven't had to job hunt for a while so not sure what the latest thinking is on applying for full time positions but wanting to work part time and mostly from home. There's a job I'm currently looking at that's being billed as hybrid so WFH shouldn't be an issue but when should I ask about part-time? At the interview or when (if!) I get the offer? My DP is saying be up front and tell them in the application, but I'm not sure that's a good idea. If it makes any difference, I've always worked in the private sector but this would be local government. What's other people's experience of this?

Hybrid does not mean you'll be able to work from home - you need to check this carefully. It might mean they expect you in the office at least three days a week).
Personally I feel that if you disclose you only want part time for a full time job then you'll be discounted if they have any other applications. That said, you may well have the job offer revoked if they need someone full time and you turn around and say you'll only do part time which is a piss take and a waste of everyone's time. Can you keep looking for actual part time roles?

If they want a full time employee you are wasting everyone time if you want to work part time from home
You will, find it hard so many people are looking for part time from home and those jobs are very few and far between

I would ideally look for part time roles but if a full time role fits what you are looking for I would mention hours at interview . If you do it on the application you won’t get an interview. You could ask if they would consider a part time role or job share as that would appeal to you.

I think it depends what you want. Four days a week and you’re happy to do three of them in the office, I think you’ve got a bit of leeway to bring it up during the process.

If you want to do two days, totally from home, you’ll waste everyone’s time if you’re not upfront.

I’d look very carefully into what they mean about hybrid (and flexibility if they mention that). I have had to go back to full time in very similar circumstances and was told to not even mention less than F/T. Total deal breaker. I do 2 days in office and use the flexi hours to work a nine day fortnight. Going to give it a year and then start a conversation about reducing to 4 days a week but I’m not optimistic.

Clarify what they mean by hybrid - hybrid for us is a minimum of 2 days in the office but it can be more depending on management decision re local need. For some departments this means no working from home, others require a minumum of 3 days in the office.

Re p/t, if the post is full time it's full time - you'd be putting yourself at a massive disadvantage if you were to state at interview or the offer stage that you could only work p/t. My suggestion would be to take the f/t job if you were offered it and then apply for flexible working once you were in post for the required time.

I've been very lucky in that I've been working all 4 days from home. I think going into the office would restart my dwindling social skills (the downside of WFH ) but it would be at least a 1 hour commute each way so I would only want to work a max of 2 days in the office.

I didn't realise that "hybrid" was not the same as WFH so I'll definitely look deeper into that. Thanks.

I have been job hunting for 6 months and have been completely dismissed by recruiters/companies for asking for 4 days.

it is beyond frustrating, I have been up front (with recruiters) and mentioned after first interviews and then been told absolutely not, must be 5 days.

next time I will keep my mouth shut, especially if it is a position I really want.

But saying that it has also meant that it’s given me an insight into companies flexibility before starting. Even if they rant and rave about it on their websites! Absolute bullshit from most of them

My ex employer advertises as hybrid when they expect people in five days and let them do a max of one day a week WFH... Other employers advertise as hybrid when it's basically all WFH! So be careful re WFH before you accept a role

Also I know people who have had success of mentioning part time ONLY once they are offered the role. At the point of offer if they really want you you're in quite a good position to negotiate - that's what I'd do if I wanted part time. You could also offer four days compressed hours if they won't go for part time.

Yeah @hopingforthemillion they say any old bullshit don’t they, total word salad with the key words thrown in and no meaning or intent behind them. Tis the game I suppose. Key thing is to have your eyes wide open to it.

We advertise full time roles but state that we will consider candidates only wanting 80% (so 4 days instead of 5) although I’m only aware of 1 person (out of 100+) who works 4 days. Everyone else is full time. No such thing as compressed hours where I work. You do whatever hours are required to be successful in the role (which basically means you’ll be working long hours most of the time). Our roles are hybrid and at present that means a minimum of 3 days/week in the office of which 1 must be a Monday or a Friday.

Hybrid is a mix of WFH and office attendance. Don’t rely on verbal promises at interview if they say “Oh yes you can have x days at home “ and then you start and find out it’s not the case. Ensure you understand contractually what it entails, x days in the office or a % of time over a month. If hybrid working is not contractual, and just a company arrangement then they can ask you to increase office attendance at any time. If contractual then they at least have to consult before changing, but can ultimately enforce it. You can apply for a full time role and request flexible working on day 1, but beware this may piss your employer off and they may say no. So considering being upfront and exploring whether a role can be part time or compressed hours (if you feel you can work the longer days). Again ensure this is in writing if anything is agreed. Local government are likely to be more flexible than private industry and should follow all guidance to the letter. Check the gov website for flexible working advice. Good luck

I’d wait until you’re offered the job, ask about part-time hours then, but WFH is fine to mention at interview if it’s already advertised as hybrid.

Yep, that would be my plan. I'm also considering a career change as an alternative so this job might not come to anything. In my sector, part-time is pretty common so I'm not so concerned about that, but locally my line of work is not that common so I'd need to factor commuting in, hence wanting to WFH as much as possible.

Lots of public sector hybrid roles expect you to be in the office or in external meetings for a minimum of 60% of your working hours, or more for senior leaders. Do you want to claim an adjustment to increase the % of time you wfh because of a disability?

Finding a 4 day week job can be tricky. I've had them for the last 20 years since dc, and never intend to work FT again, but the fact is they are hard to find.

Oh me too! I wouldn't go back to 5 days now.

No, I just want a life outside work!

The last two jobs I've applied for have been full time and I've managed to negotiate a 4 day week without any issues. A lot of companies are open to it these days I think - they get all your expertise for 20% less salary.

As for when to mention it, if it's a deal breaker I'd do it before interview. For my most recent job I didn't want to waste my time travelling into London for an interview if they weren't open to part time. An 80% contract meant I was able to negotiate 2 days in the office rather than 3 too.

Hybrid will definitely mean a mix of WFH and office. I work for local government, our employer allows 2 days per week WFH for a FT employee, 1 day for the 4 day weekers.