Less flexibility in new role, what can I do?

[Anonymous]

Were you forced into this new role or did you choose to take on a new role? It sounds like the upside is you have more visibility with senior execs, which could help your career in the future, but the downside is you have more work hours in the office. If you’re not willing to do the office hours could you take a step back down?

[Anonymous]

I had very blue collar jobs with shifts 8:30 - 17:00 but with 1 hour lunch break. We had staggered shifts. 8:30 is a completely reasonable start time when you are required to set up the department for the day and arrive before other collegues.

[Anonymous]

"appearance" not "optics" (the latter refers to the science of light)

This is a pet peeve of mine.

[Anonymous]

Work from home two days a week.

[Anonymous]

Any updates, OP?

[Anonymous]

This exact thing happened to me last year. I decided for which meetings the FT is most important and prioritized those. For the other meetings I took them from home right before or after my commute. I also made sure to build in regular flexibility for the areas that are most important to me (eg my son’s weekly PT appointment).

I came in very highly desired and on a positive career trajectory, so that helped. One year in and I’ve gotten two sets of great reviews from my new team and on my way to being promoted.

[Anonymous]

This is a tough one. I think it depends on how badly you need this job.
Personally this is why I mommy tracked and don’t leave my current job. Quite a few women I know end up quitting all together after pushing themselves to move up the ladder. I’m in it for the long game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to the people organizing the meetings and share that it's difficult to make meetings before 9am and after 5pm. Maybe they can change them.

Put in your calendar which days you are WFH so people just expect you'll join remote for any meetings planned on those days.

I'll put my two cents in here and say don't do this. Just keep your calendar hyper up to date, and decline the meetings you can't make and don't perceive as crucial.

I generally agree with PPs that you shouldn't try to change too much and should just put your head down and do good work, but you might also need to realize that you had a pretty ideal setup before and really try to think through whether you are able to make some changes/concession. Never being available before 9 or 9:30 seems a little unreasonable, but I agree that 5pm (or later) meetings should be a rarity.

Can you work long hours on one of your days in the office? Can your husband pick up some slack? Giving the appearance of extreme availability at the beginning may buy you some credit when you have to pull back a bit.

[Anonymous]

Any updates, OP?

[Anonymous]

I’d love to hear how this resolved, too! I do completely relate