returning to work PT after maternity leave

Has anyone asked their employer to return to work part time or 4 out of 5 days after maternity leave?

If so, when did you make your request known to your manager, how did it go, and what are some of the questions one should anticipate?

Re: returning to work PT after maternity leave

I can't remember how soon after it was, but I did ask to 1.) step down from a supervisory role and 2.) I asked to work M-Thurs and then just be "on call" on Fridays.


My supervisor agreed to it, and even better, I eventually was able to create my own position and honestly, I don't even need to be in the office but go out of need for structure/routine.

I basically wrote up a proposal and requested a meeting to discuss. The key is showing how this may benefit the company.

Re: returning to work PT after maternity leave

After I had DS, I returned to my law firm job as an associate attorney.

I spoke to the main partner I was working with at the time in the middle of my leave, when I was maybe 6 weeks away from returning. I negotiated working 75% (I had billable hours expectations, so I agreed to bill 75% of my time) for 75% salary, with the understanding that I could work from home on Mondays and Fridays, schedule permitting. I made it clear that I would be flexible (coming in on the off days if necessary, working as needed for things like trial, including travel), AND we agreed that we would re-evaluate how it was working as time went on.

Once my immediate supervisor and I had come to terms, I wrote up the terms of the agreement and it was submitted and approved by the higher ups at my firm, as needed. But had I been in a different work environment, I think it would have made sense to perhaps do it the reverse - submit a written proposal first and then schedule a time to talk through it with your supervisor.

It was relatively easy for me because I had been with the firm for almost 8 years at that point and the partner I was working for knew me well, as did the clients I would continue working with. I think it would have been harder to do if I was newer to the firm or in a more junior position.

I think the key is showing that you will be flexible and are committed to doing your job no matter what. If your boss shows hesitation, suggesting a trial basis can be helpful in getting them to give it a shot. Also, you may want to start out asking for a bit more, so you can still have room to negotiate if necessary. For example, if my boss had said 2 days from home could be too much, I could have advocated for 1 day at home still. Or if he wanted me to work more than 75%, I had room to negotiate still and be at significantly less than a full-time workload.

Success in working out a flex time arrangement or part-time arrangement I think also depends on the nature of your work. Can you do your job part-time? Would they need to hire another part-timer to cover you when you're not there (such as a job-sharing scenario). Some positions don't really lend themselves to that, so I think you need to be realistic about whether it could really work for you. Also, is there another options, if part-time is less feasible, such as telecommuting some days or shifting your hours so you have more time with your child? (Come in earlier, leave earlier?).

Re: returning to work PT after maternity leave

That's awesome! Very encouraging to hear thank you!

Re: returning to work PT after maternity leave

I went from 5 to 4 days. I spoke to them and made the arrangement before I went back to work. My boss had asked if I wanted to reduce my client base and I sad no (silly me) I knew i could handle it on a 4 day schedule. I also let them know I would answer emails on my day off and if necessary would come in if it was critical. That only happened once in 4 years.

Definately speak about it before you go back to work.

PS I did take a 20% cut in pay- no other benefits were effected.

Message edited 4/4/2013 2:37:15 PM.

Re: returning to work PT after maternity leave

I did and its great! I only took a 15% pay cut to work 4 days based on my hours.

Will your PTO be reduced as well? (I accrue at 85%.)

If your day off is a Friday and Friday is a holiday what happens?

You must reduce your workload! I did an analysis of my billable hours and transferred some clients to other managers!

How is future maternity benefits calculated? Mine are pro-rata now.

How is your PTO carryforward impacted? We can carry 10 days but I can only carryforward 8.5.

Good luck!