How to Ask a Boss to Work Part-Time

Sometimes there are changes your life that makes it impossible for you to continue working on a full-time basis. Examples of this include the birth of a child, change in living arrangements, death of a loved one or other family situations. This requires meeting with your boss and asking if any accommodation can be made in your work schedule. Working together with your boss can help make this transition approved and easier on both parties.

Instructions

1. Ask your boss for a time to discuss an item involving your work schedule in private. This will allow your boss to know the general idea of what you will be meeting with him about. It will also avoid putting him on the spot asking for a decision in front of other employees or when he is distracted doing other activities.

2. Prepare an explanation for why you would like to switch from working full time to working part time. Come up with advantages both for your boss and for yourself for this change. You will have to sell this proposal to your boss, so make sure your supporting facts make sense. Try practicing this by presenting your proposal to a family member or friend, and ask her to play the part of your boss for you to present your proposal.

3. Avoid jumping straight into your request when your meeting begins with your boss, unless she asks you to get straight to the point. Make sure you emphasize that you enjoy working for the company and do not wish to quit, but that you would like a change made in your schedule to make it possible for you to keep working for the company.

4. Present your proposal as a suggestion, not as an something that is written in stone. Ask your boss if he has any ideas on ways it could work out in favor of both the company and yourself. Be flexible with your part-time schedule if your boss comes back with a counter-offer to your proposal.

5. Give your boss time to come up with a decision, but at the same time agree upon a time when a decision will be made. It is recommended to give your boss at least 2 weeks to consider this decision. The decision may be made before this, but at least he will not feel that you are pressuring him into a quick decision.

Tips & Warnings

• Acknowledge that your changing from full time to part time probably isn't convenient for him. Let your boss know why you think keeping you on as a part-time employee would be better than having you resign or be less productive than he needs you to be as a full-time employee.

• If your boss denies your proposal, do not take it personally. Keep in mind that down the road the company may contact you and let you know that after reconsidering the situation they are willing to rehire you on a part-time basis.