How to approach HR Dept regarding possibility of changing hours?

[AnnieC]

Hi there,

This is my first post although I have lurked on this site for a long time now! I'm just looking for some advice on how I might best approach my HR Dept. about the possibility of reducing my hours/job-sharing on my return to work after Maternity Leave.

Basically, I have worked there full-time (5 days per week) for 7 years and am due to return in October. As I am now a mum, I feel my most important job is to look after my child and ideally would love to return to work on a part-time basis, even a 4-day week would be great.

In their HR policy, they describe themselves as a "Family-Friendly" workplace, which you would assume would mean that they would try and accomodate people as much as possible. A friend of mine who also works there has applied 3 times for a reduction in her working hours for family reasons and has been flat out told no, this would not be possible. I should also mention that there tends to be a serious lack of confidentiality in this place (I was barely 6 weeks pregnant, met one of the HR staff in the toilets while I was somewhat ill and spent the rest of the day getting phonecalls/emails congratulating me!) and what fundamentally worries me is that if I approach HR, they will make it known to my manager that I have asked for a reduction in hours and will always have a "black mark" against me if I apply for a promotion etc in the future as I would be seen to not be fully committed to my work.

Does anyone have any advice for me on how I could approach this issue?

 

[sam h]

Congrats on the new arrival. Can fully understand your wish to spend time with the baby and hope you can work something out. Asking for flexibility shouldn;t (in theory) be a black mark, but it's impossibe to say that management in your particular company wouldn;t view it as such.

Basically you need to assemble as much info as possible:
- have they ever given PT/Job share to anyone
- can you do you job on a 4 day week (by passing over a clear section of work to someone else)
- can you find another person in a similar position who could do job share
- outline exactly how you can make it work to their benefit
- would you leave if you couldn't get any flexibility
- could you start earlier or work longer days to make up time
Basically work out all the variations and approach your manager & HR (not a good idea to totally leave out your manager as s/he will have to be brought into the discussion at some stage, so better coming from you!

Good luck & hope it works out

 

[AnnieC]

Thanks for the reply samh

I didn't really make myself clear with regards to manager, of course I would definitely speak with my manager myself, I know it came across like I wanted to go behind her back!

The longer days option really wouldn't appeal to me as I leave my house at 6.40am every morning to get into work for 8am and finish at 3.30pm. The early finish is great but the odd day I've stayed an extra hour and not been home until close to 7pm, a situation I know I wouldn't be happy with as it would mean not seeing my baby at all for 4 days in a week pretty much!

I would hate to have to leave my job as I love it (well, as much as anyone loves to work!) but it's something I would have to look into if a shorter week wasn't an option.

Job-sharing doesn't really exist where I work, so maybe I could find someone to share with and start a new trend! Thanks again for the reply

 

[Jewel]

Well, speaking with my HR hat on, I would advise you to raise the issue firstly with your manager, and get their yay or nay on the matter.
Put together a clear picture of how you think the business needs can be met while you are working reduced hours. Once you get their support, then they can raise the matter with the HR department.

Now, speaking with my parent hat on... would it be possible to take parental leave on a 1-day per week basis initially? You could suggest this as an initial step to prove how it can work successfully. It can be a trial period for both you and the company - after the parental leave period is up, if it has been working successfully, then you would be well placed to suggest working reduced hours on a permanent basis.

When I returned to work after mat leave last year, I took Fridays as parental leave, and it's great.
Just another option to consider!