Looking for ideas re flexible work arrangements

A

annR

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I work full time in sales in a large multinational. I have two small children and want to spend more time with them. I asked a few months ago about part time or split up parental leave and was told no (parental leave only in block). Things have changed a bit recently and I may have a little more leverage to try again (I have said I'm leaving and they're upset). I think it is genuinely difficult for them to do part time due to headcount reasons etc . . .
I need other ideas to take to them. I recently heard of someone in a different company who negotiated more holidays in exchange for no pay rise that year. that's a creative idea I hadn't even thought of but which might work if I could get it together with a week here and there parental leave (we have busy months and slack months easily predictable).

Does anyone have any more creative ideas for me or examples of having done something like this?
 
Would working from home work for your position? It would mean that you would not have commute etc (maybe this is not an issue) so your day would be shorter. I recently switched to working from home full-time and get a lot more time with my little boy. He can now wake when he wants to and not be dragged out of bed at an unearthly hour so I can get to work on time, he's in better form in the evenings and we have at least 2 hours more together per day. It works for me but might not be for everyone, and I do miss the social interaction of a workplace.
 
Hi Nutso

My commute is about 15 mins so not really a big deal to be honest. My husband starts late and works late, he brings them to creche so they don't have to get up really early. Yes I do actually enjoy going to work. I just need a bit of slack in my routine to be with the kids more on a regular basis. It's my 3.5 year old I think really needs a bit more time with me.
 
If they won't entertain part time, any possibility of 'job share'? i.e. can you get together with someone who is looking to do the same thing - then go to your boss and put that proposal to him?
 
I think that formal arrangements like part time and job sharing are completely off the table. They need something that they can just do without it impacting on my formal full time status. I think!
 
You mention its your 3 1/2 year old you worry about.

Will they be starting school in September, or the following year? Don't have any kids myself so not sure if its still the way to be in school aged 4, or if most now wait for 5.

Is it possible to slide your shift? for example, start work at 7am, finish at 3.30 or 4? This gives you a little more time in the afternoon. It might mean collecting them from the creche earlier and having more time with them during the day.
 
Could you re-arrange your hours over the week so you spread your 3x hour week across four days or even four and a half days?
 
dmos87
Yes that will definitely worth considering if I can manage to get up that early! At the moment I start work at 8.15am. I may look at sliding that earlier - if I'm sure I can manage it. I am up in the night with the smallies and tend to need a lot of sleep but yes this is something I should keep in mind. I think they would agree to it. Perhaps I could get up really early, work from home early in the morning and then shower and drive into work during what would normally be 'morning coffee break'. I'd have to buy a coffee machine for home. :)
 
Millie
If all else fails. . . I'd look at this but not ideal as would have less time for kids the days that I am at work. I actually need less hours.
 
Our company allow us to "buy" up to 10 days extra holidays a year by taking the equivalent reduction in annual pay.
 
That's the kind of thing I'm looking at and I think it's quite easy for the company to do some variation of this. That would be 2.5 months of 4 day weeks for me - not bad for a start!
 
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