I'm thinking about asking my boss if I can take off one day or work from one day a week. I'm not sure if this is even possible, but I wonder how to go about having this conversation. Has anyone done this? Did you talk to HR first or your boss directly? I'm still on maternity leave.
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We have a flex schedule at work, so maybe sharing what we have available will help you make your proposal to your boss (and I think I'd start with your manager to gauge his/her reaction before checking with HR).
Basically, we can work 5 days one week and 4 days the next, or have a half-day every way (so you're working 9 days out of a 10 day pay period). To still get the full "10 day" hours in, we have a shortened lunch period (45 minutes instead of an hour) and work a slightly longer day every day.
My schedule is 7-4pm, with a half day every Friday.
Maybe you could suggest a similar schedule and, to get the full day at home, offer to work from home for a half day (then have the afternoon "off")? -
I am thinking about asking for working from home one day as well. Def not go down to a 4 day work week because then I won't be full time and lose benefits. Unless you were thinking of working four 10 hour days?
My plan right now is to ask for four 9 hour days and one 4 hour day from home. I will be talking directly to a Project Manager that is basically HR. I plan to present it as a probationary period. I will let them know that if deadlines exist I'm flexible to come in when necessary. Try it out for 3 months and we can reconvene and see if it's working out for both parties.
My boss is really great and flexible. He's not a stickler about being in exactly at 830am. As long as you get your work down and put in your 40 he doesn't care when.
Check out this thread I started on feasibility:
http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-how-feasible-is-it-to-put-in-a-8hour-work-day-from-home-wa-infant -
I would love this, but I know other women in my office have asked, and it has been denied every time. So not going to happen for me, I would love to do 4 days a week/10 hour work days but my office has yet to catch on the flex scheduling, and I have a feeling it won't any time soon. (Heck women are still required to wear skirts/nylons every day!)
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You might want to check out your company’s policies on “gradual return to work” since you are still out on maternity leave. Also, check their policies on working from home and daycare. Our company requires you provide proof that your child is enrolled in outside daycare or has a nanny (non relatives only), on the day(s) you work from home, if you work from home on a regular basis, even 1 day a week.
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Does your company have a flextime policy? Mine did and anyone is eligible to apply for a flex schedule. Consider the impact to your benefits and pension too!
I think women have the best chance of getting a flex schedule approved before they go away on maternity leave. Once they're out, they're expected to go back at a certain time and level and it could be an inconvenience to the employer.
Good luck.
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I'm planning on dropping to 80% (i.e. working only 4 days/week, taking Fridays off) pretty soon. It means I'll only get 80% of my normal salary, and my benefits get decreased accordingly, but it's worth it to me. Lots of women (and some men) in my office do this when they have small kids or other responsibilities. My boss has two young kids and only works Tues/Wed/Thurs.
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I'm going to ask to cut back my hours to 50% of the time. I say go for it, lots of companies are offering it now as a benefit. I hope it works out for you!
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