Feds (or others) with a PT, Flexible Work Schedule

[Anonymous]

How easy was it for you to start working part-time? Did you start out part-time, or have to put in a number of FT years first? If you did find a new part-time job, how did that come about?

I currently work part-time (30hrs) and mostly from home. For a variety of reasons I would love to look for a new job, but I am really leery of giving up the good thing I have going in terms of flexibility and time with my young kids. It would be great to find a new part-time job, but I'm guessing I'll probably have to put in some time first (like I did in my current position) to earn that luxury. I'm trying to gauge whether I should just try to be happy with what I have, or really start looking, with the hope that even if I need to start off full-time, eventually I'll be able to go part-time again.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who is PT flex in an area of high demand but that was after putting in a couple years and only in special cases (young children or retirement age). Are you currently a Fed? Why do you want to switch jobs especially in this economy? Do you have a skill in high demand/low supply?

[Anonymous]

I was part-time (28 hours/week) at one federal agency. Found a new job at another agency - negotiated 32 hours at the start. I'm an attorney FWIW. I think it can be done, but all depends on the openness of your new boss.

[Anonymous]

I work PT-20 hours a week. I started FT and then when I had my child I left for a year and was brought back PT. I HATE my job, but am unwilling to leave b/c it is PT.

[Anonymous]

Contractor. Started out FT, was able to negotiate PT after having kids. Have no expectation I could easily find another PT position - unless the organization is short on funds so can't afford a FT position it doesn't seem to benefit them to got PT when they can get FT. The equation of course changes once you've been somewhere for a while and have some institutional knowledge such that keeping you on PT is better than losing you all together.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks all.

I'm not currently a Fed, but given my skills, that's where most of the jobs are. My current position is interesting, but the pay is horrible (non-profit). I would consider going back FT at a new job, but really would like to be able to meet the school bus most days once my kids are older. So far I've had luck making myself 'indispensable' at the jobs I have had, affording me some bargaining power, but I'd hate to put in my time somewhere new and then realize that cutting back hours is never going to be an option. Seems like maybe I should just count my blessings and put up with the low pay.

If there are more of you part-timers out there who want to tell how you ended up that way, please chime in.

[Anonymous]

I had been full-time for a while before I asked to go part-time after my first child was born. That said, I work 32 hours a week, so it's not that part-time. I think there may be SOME Federal managers out there that would consider someone interested in part-time, if it was clear they had good skills for the job. It can't hurt to interview and see what's out there. Also, when you do interview, try to meet with as many "worker bees" as possible, to get a sense of the culture. If a number of people are part-time, then the chances that you would be allowed to go part-time at some point are higher.

[Anonymous]

I'm part time, also 32 hours, non fed, and I requested that after 7 years in the company. A coworker in my area had been part time for 5 years before me, so I used her as leverage and it worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was part-time (28 hours/week) at one federal agency. Found a new job at another agency - negotiated 32 hours at the start. I'm an attorney FWIW. I think it can be done, but all depends on the openness of your new boss.

NP. Wow, that's great. Do you do litigation or something else? I'd love to hear more about your set-up..

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat - work PT (in the office 24 hours a week + 4-6 hours a week from home) so am home after school and on Fridays. Worked full time for a number of years before negotiating part time position. Would love new job but am terrified I'll never find something like this again.

[Anonymous]

I work 3 days a week, ranging from 24 to 30 hours depending on how busy I am. I don't work the other two days. I telecommute about 80-90%-time. I am well-paid, have great benefits and five weeks of PTO a year.

I don't think I could ever find anything like this elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work 3 days a week, ranging from 24 to 30 hours depending on how busy I am. I don't work the other two days. I telecommute about 80-90%-time. I am well-paid, have great benefits and five weeks of PTO a year.

I don't think I could ever find anything like this elsewhere.

Which agency?

[Anonymous]

I work 10-15 hrs/week, although my company would love me to work 20+. I was hired on as a WAH 20 hrs/week employee. Project is ending in the spring after 2.5 years, but I'm hoping be hired onto a new project. I know it'd be a rare find to get into this type of set up again.

[Anonymous]

I work part time at a small consulting company. I started out full time but quickly reduced my hours to between 30 and 32 hours per week so that I could have more time with my young children. I have skills that are in short supply so it was pretty easy to negotiate what I wanted.