Thoughts on the best way to work a 28-32 hour work week

[LRP]

I have to come up with a plan for returning to work. For financial reasons, I need to work 28-32 hours per week. Working less than that is not really an option. I am lucky enough to have a boss that is open to any schedule I choose. I can modify the schedule later, but any changes I make should be relatively minor. I have no idea what would be the best way to do this. I have thought of a couple of possibilities and am wondering what other people's experiences have been. Some of the possibilities are working three 10 hour days, four 8 hour days, two 9 hour days and two 6 hour days, etc. I could go on and on, that's part of my problem. I work a few blocks from home, so time lost commuting isn't a factor. Also, if I work longer days I can come home for lunch with DS and the nanny.

I'd really like to hear from some other parents who've worked part time. Thanks in advance for your input.

[Anonymous]

I work 3 10 hour days (T/W/F) and it works well for me. They are 3 long days, but I'd rather get done and have the other days free to spend time with my child.

[Anonymous]

OP, I could've written your post. Very much looking forward to responses...

[Anonymous]

OP, I could've written your post. Very much looking forward to responses...

[Anonymous]

I work three 9-hour days (usually M, T, Th, but free to change if I need to, or if they need me to), and then catch up on work as needed from home after my kids are asleep.

[Anonymous]

I am curious about your work situation -- would you mind sharing some details of what you negotiated? Are you considered a part time employee? Are you getting any benefits with your job? Are they paying you less -- say 80% or 75% of your former full time salary? I have always thought about arranging something like what you are doing -- maybe 3 long days instead of 5 days to spend more time with kids. Right now I work from home so I have some flexibility... but would sure be nice to have more time to be with kids. Thanks

[Anonymous]

OP. I, too (three?) am in the same boat as you. Here are a few things I was advised to consider:

1) Do you have a job where it is likely that you will need to check in every day with clients, colleagues, etc.?

2) Once you have arrived in the office, logistically will it be possible for you to leave early? (i.e., do you have last-minute requests, do people schedule meetings at the end of the day)?

3) if you work extra long days (or very short ones), how will that affect your childcare situation (spouse, commute, pickups and dropoffs)?

4) Can you/how are on working from home?


I haven't decided my schedule but am leaning towards going to the office all 5 days and leaving early/coming late when I can.

[Anonymous]

I recommend trying to fit your work into 3 to 4 days. It is very tough to leave the office once there and you spend so much time commuting, etc that it just adds to your time away from your family. If you can work it so you go in early or work late 3 days a week, then I say go for it. This takes commitment from your spouse as well though.

I work part-time in a professional field. I have customers, manage my own team, etc. I only work 3 days a week (except a crunch time) and it works well. As long as you are up front about your schedule and the fact that you are part-time AND don't take on too much work then it works well. It also teaches you to be very selective about which meetings to attend. I used to be salaried, but now get paid for the hours I work based on the same hourly rate I was working before (plus some for merit increases, etc). I earned vacation/sick leave based on the hours I work. I would have to pay more for my health care since I'm only part-time, but I just opted out of it and use my husbands. All my other benefits are the same as other employees (i.e., insurance, 401K, etc). I do not have a job where I can work from home, but I like it that way since when I'm home, I'm a mom 100% of the time.

[LRP]

OP here. Thanks for the input. I'd love to hear from more people working part time and how you are making it work (or what you wish you could change).

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about your work situation -- would you mind sharing some details of what you negotiated? Are you considered a part time employee? Are you getting any benefits with your job? Are they paying you less -- say 80% or 75% of your former full time salary? I have always thought about arranging something like what you are doing -- maybe 3 long days instead of 5 days to spend more time with kids. Right now I work from home so I have some flexibility... but would sure be nice to have more time to be with kids. Thanks

To respond, I didn't really negotiate anything. My supervisor is actually the one who brought up the possibility of going part time when I told him I was pregnant. It is the policy to allow people to work part time so long as it generally works for the agency. There are others in my division who are part-time. Part-time is anything from 20 to 32 hours per week. I will get paid a percentage of my salary based on a 40 hour work week. In other words, if I work 30 hours I get 75% of my pay. Same percentage breakdown for most benefits, leave accrual, etc.

To the 22:17 poster in a similar situation, I ruled out working 5 days a week. My office is the kind of place where once you are there, it is hard to leave, even if doing the work the next day or the day after would be fine. Right now I, and most people in my division, work flextime schedules where they work longer days in exchange for 1 or 2 days off every two weeks and that works out fine.

[Anonymous]

Not sure of the best way to work 28-32 hours...I've been working a 32 hour week since I returned from maternity leave about 14 months ago. I work four 7 hour days and one 4 hour day. I telecommute from home on one of the 7 hour days and the 4 hour day. It's been working well although I've considered requesting a change to four 8 hour days. I'm receiving 80 percent of my full time salary and pro-rated benefits. Most importantly for me, I spend time with my son in the morning and get home by 5 pm each day.

[Anonymous]

I would vote for working 4 regular-length days. I work 3 days a week at 7.5 hours a day & love it. Occassionally, work will require me to work a 4th day and it's not too much harder. For me personally, working a long day would mean missing out on evening time with my son (as my husband often does) and I really love those couple of hours we spend together at day's end. My full days off with my son are nice, but frankly, exhausting.