Want to go PT after baby - how to approach?

[jindc]

I'm a fed in an agency so tight for money we have to buy our own tissues.
I've had a couple other job offers recently, but given that I'm pregnant (and these jobs were ridiculous pay cuts), it's a terrible time to leave my job since I have saved up a ton of leave and would have no rights under FMLA at a new position. So I'm sticking it out.

However, I've mentioned to my boss and the deputy that I'd like to return part time - not forever, but at least for a good chunk of the first year. It might be forever, I don't know. I don't know the logistics of it all yet - finding a part time nanny share, maybe I'll want to come back FT before I thought. I don't know, I just know that I don't want the pressure to come back full time as a FTM. Not working is not an option financially for us. And no, we don't live beyond our means, before I get chewed out by some SAHM about how "anyone can make it work" (having a husband who has been deployed to war twice made finding a stable job difficult until recently, but he has a good career path now, thankfully). So please don't say this is an option because it currently isn't.

What type of things do I ned to outline to my supervisor about my allowing me to work PT would benefit the office? I work with Congress, and they aren't in 5 days a week. I'm always on my blackberry responding even though I'm not paid for that time. Much of the work I do could be done from home, but we have a no telework policy. I'm at a loss for how to outline why it's beneficial to the office beyond retaining me and having me produce the same work for less cost to the Staff. There is no one on the Staff that is currently PT according to HR.

How did you sell this? What did you do if your boss said no? If you're a boss, what do you want to hear your employee say that would make this arrangement seem beneficial to everyone? If you asked for such an arrangement, did the fact that other civilians might ask for the same thing scare your boss into denying it?

[Anonymous]

You have to decide if they say no, what you will do. Will you work FT until you can find a better job? Will you just quit for a defined time?

I would be as specific as possible with your plan for PT. something like: i will work 30 hrs a week T-TH, 8-4 or whatever, for 75% pay. Also put that you will do it for a trial 6 months and it can be reevaluated after that. Also decide what would happen if they needed a decision or action from you on a Monday or a Friday when you are not working. Would you be checking email or bberry all the time? then in my mind you might as well be paid to do it.

Do you ever work from home? You might ask to work from home M and F (with child care of course) and test that out--that can be much easier than commuting in, although you're still working and not seeing your child.

[jindc]

Thanks, PP - as a fed, there's a PT work policy - I'd be paid a percentage based on the number of hours and all that. There's nothing to negotiate regarding pay/benefits (I'd just get my benfits from my DH). But I do plan on "trial run for 6 months".

I'm on my BB all the time now and not compensated for it. If, as an employee, I say "I will be accounting for my time I answer emails", is that horrible? Would you think badly of an employee who said that? (I'm the only civilian who checks their BB - the others have them, but never respond to them, even though both are paid more than me....so everyone just emails me since I do respond).

We are not allowed to work from home ("telework") at our department. The commute isn't the issue - it really is that I don't think I'll want to spend that much time away from my child, and since I have to have an income, PT seems like the only balance to allow that to happen.