Boss told me I could go part time, now she says no.

[Anonymous]

About a month ago I asked my supervisor if I could cut my hours to four days a week. She said I couldn’t because of logistics but that I could go half time (20 hours/week) if I wanted and that I could make the transition this summer.
I told her I would think about it.

This week, I met with her and told her I’d decided to go part time. Her response was that she couldn’t allow me to do that. I was so shocked that I had no response for her. She babbled some excuse about the way they might structure pay in future years, and half time not being an option. I work in a school and there are many half time employees so I know this is BS.

I’m shocked and angry. Im not sure I can have a conversation without her seeing how angry I am. Just one month ago she suggested half time to me as an option, and now she says no.

WWYD? Part of me wants to quit, but this job is 3 minutes from my house, and if I get a new job I’d likely have a long commute.

[Anonymous]

You get angry easily. Things change and they change fast. If this company/school can't be flexible, find another one. If you are a really good employer, they may find ways to be flexible.
I choose the exact days and hours I want to work. Not because my boss is nicer, but I'm valuable to the company. He saves an extra person's salary just because I show up. I also have two ex employers asking me to come back to work.
I worked at school. I was the only person who had not take a day off the whole year. Be that person couple of years and then ask to go part time.

[Anonymous]

You have two options - let it go or make another run at it. If you make another run at it, say you are confused since they suggested, ask what changed, note the others that work part time. Press a little to understand the concern and try to explain how you will address the concern. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You get angry easily. Things change and they change fast. If this company/school can't be flexible, find another one. If you are a really good employer, they may find ways to be flexible.
I choose the exact days and hours I want to work. Not because my boss is nicer, but I'm valuable to the company. He saves an extra person's salary just because I show up. I also have two ex employers asking me to come back to work.
I worked at school. I was the only person who had not take a day off the whole year. Be that person couple of years and then ask to go part time.

Geeze. Do you typically take every opportunity, including random anonymous DCUM posts, to tell the world how smart and great and valued and special you are? Gross

[Anonymous]

What sort of work do you do? Might there be another school nearby that would want you part-time?

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry op, that really sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You get angry easily. Things change and they change fast. If this company/school can't be flexible, find another one. If you are a really good employer, they may find ways to be flexible.
I choose the exact days and hours I want to work. Not because my boss is nicer, but I'm valuable to the company. He saves an extra person's salary just because I show up. I also have two ex employers asking me to come back to work.
I worked at school. I was the only person who had not take a day off the whole year. Be that person couple of years and then ask to go part time.

You’re not helpful. This isn’t about you. Not every company has the ability to be flexible. And not every employer values an employee even when they should.

OP, maybe your boss offered something she was later told she could not do. Maybe there are changes that you don’t know about that now make it impossible. Your options depend on your situation. Can you afford not to have an income? Is your spouse or partner onboard with you not working? How hard will it take you to find another job? How much of the time benefit will you lose by adding a commute and is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

Lesson here is don’t take weeks to think about it. Too much time for things to change.

[Anonymous]

Agree on the timing. You let too long go by to make a decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About a month ago I asked my supervisor if I could cut my hours to four days a week. She said I couldn’t because of logistics but that I could go half time (20 hours/week) if I wanted and that I could make the transition this summer.
I told her I would think about it.

This week, I met with her and told her I’d decided to go part time. Her response was that she couldn’t allow me to do that. I was so shocked that I had no response for her. She babbled some excuse about the way they might structure pay in future years, and half time not being an option. I work in a school and there are many half time employees so I know this is BS.

I’m shocked and angry. Im not sure I can have a conversation without her seeing how angry I am. Just one month ago she suggested half time to me as an option, and now she says no.

WWYD? Part of me wants to quit, but this job is 3 minutes from my house, and if I get a new job I’d likely have a long commute.

Whoa lady. Just up and quit? Good luck interviewing for a P/T job.

[Anonymous]

What do you do in a school that is PT?

[Anonymous]

Things change. Just because others work a reduced schedule doesn’t mean they have to allow you to as well. They may have to hire another person to cover the other 50% of your job - that costs more than having one full-time person.

[Anonymous]

Most schools you need to work FT unless you substitute, athletic coach, or they have half time paraprofessionals. OR the person has that accommodation because of the ADA.

Also, when you cut your time you usually don't get benefits so no healthcare, no pension or 401k, etc. There may also be an issue with union rules, etc.

If that is what you want, why don't you go back to your boss and say you would like to possibly move to a PT role and if any are open. Ask to be kept in the loop about any roles with X hours or less because you would like to stay at the school, but within the next year you would like to move to less hours if possible. See what the boss says.

Commute is a big deal. If you find another role that is PT but you have to commute is it really worth it?

IDK what you do, but if you're a teacher paying 2 teachers for 1 role is not feasible. If the role needs a FT person paying 2 people to do that role is not budget friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most schools you need to work FT unless you substitute, athletic coach, or they have half time paraprofessionals. OR the person has that accommodation because of the ADA.

Also, when you cut your time you usually don't get benefits so no healthcare, no pension or 401k, etc. There may also be an issue with union rules, etc.

If that is what you want, why don't you go back to your boss and say you would like to possibly move to a PT role and if any are open. Ask to be kept in the loop about any roles with X hours or less because you would like to stay at the school, but within the next year you would like to move to less hours if possible. See what the boss says.

Commute is a big deal. If you find another role that is PT but you have to commute is it really worth it?

IDK what you do, but if you're a teacher paying 2 teachers for 1 role is not feasible. If the role needs a FT person paying 2 people to do that role is not budget friendly.

Or they have to pay two people benefits and its not in the budget.