Thinking of reducing my work hours

[Annabel]

Hello, I currently work full time, have done since returning from maternity June 2011. I'm really start to struggle with the work life balance. Hubby works away in Europe and comes home once a month for the weekend (although he arrives late Friday night and goes back Sunday afternoon).

Im missing my husband and my 15 month son as he is in nursery full time I feel like its not me raising him anymore, especially with his dad away, makes me feel like I need to be at home more.

I really can't reduce my hours too much as we need my wage so have thought about working 8-6 Tuesday - Thursday. Then have Monday and Friday off with lo. So we're only paying for 3days of nursery but I'm effectively only losing a days wage.

Does this sound like a reasonable working hours to put to my boss to you?

 

[Dinah93]

On paper it sounds reasonable, but it depends on your job. If the building isn't open those hours, or for example if you were in a shop and weren't open those hours then it wouldn't suit the business. Equally factories tend to have very set shifts so wouldn't generally alter them. You know your job requirements and if it makes sense to you to work those hours. Personally I have an office job and I know they'd be happy with those hours but my DH employer isn't as flexible and would say no with some weak made up reason! It all comes down to your employers requirements really and how those fit compared to your current hours. Best of luck with your request.

 

[Annabel]

On paper it sounds reasonable, but it depends on your job. If the building isn't open those hours, or for example if you were in a shop and weren't open those hours then it wouldn't suit the business. Equally factories tend to have very set shifts so wouldn't generally alter them. You know your job requirements and if it makes sense to you to work those hours. Personally I have an office job and I know they'd be happy with those hours but my DH employer isn't as flexible and would say no with some weak made up reason! It all comes down to your employers requirements really and how those fit compared to your current hours. Best of luck with your request.

Thank you for your reply. I hadn't completely considered this. However, think it should be acceptable. I work from home when Im not then Im out and about on visits, when I am going out on visits I have to put lo into nursery 8 and til 6. Just probably have to consider whether they want me doing that 3 days a week as core hours are 9-5 hmmmmm

 

[xxembobxx]

It's always worth asking isn't it?
Is the nursery open early/ late though as most of them usually finish at 6pm and you would need childcare for later than that.