In this article I’ll share some tips on how to request part-time hours based on my experience of changing from full-time to part-time work.
Looking for advice on how to ask to work remotely? I’ve got you covered. Read my guide to asking your boss to let you work from home.
Switching from a full-time to part-time schedule can better align work with your lifestyle needs and personal responsibilities outside the office. However, proposing reduced hours requires careful planning and communication to gain your manager’s support.
Here are some best practices to follow when requesting a transition from full-time to part-time status at your job
Understand Why You’re Asking to Go Part-Time
Before setting up a meeting with your boss, reflect on what’s motivating your desire to work fewer hours. Some common reasons employees seek part-time schedules include:
- Health issues or disabilities that make full-time work challenging
- Pursuing education like finishing a degree or taking classes
- Planning for retirement or a career transition
- Raising children or caring for other family members
- Reducing stress and burnout
- Commuting challenges like a long distance to the office
- Starting a business venture or pursuing a passion project
Having clarity on your rationale will help you explain your reasons more persuasively to your manager
Prepare by Organizing Your Current Role
Make a list of all your current major responsibilities and projects at work. Then, determine which duties are:
- Essential to your role and need to be done regularly
- Important but could be managed by someone else
- Additional tasks you’ve taken on that could be reassigned
This exercise will allow you to think through what your focus would be in a part-time schedule and what could transition to co-workers.
Determine Your Ideal Part-Time Hours
Decide how many hours per week you want to work. Common part-time schedules range from 20-30 hours, but employers get to define part-time status.
Consider which workdays and times of day tend to be busiest in your role, and when you could have maximum impact working on site. Propose a schedule that benefits both you and the company.
Remain open to compromise if your initial request doesn’t align with your team’s needs. Some flexibility will increase the chances your manager can accommodate a schedule change.
Schedule a Meeting to Discuss Your Request
Don’t surprise your boss by springing a request to work part-time on them last minute. Instead, set up a meeting specifically to discuss your thoughts on transitioning to a reduced schedule.
Send a meeting invite with a subject line like “Discussing potential part-time schedule” so they aren’t caught off guard. Having time to process beforehand will lead to a more productive conversation.
Prepare Your Case for Going Part-Time
Take time before your meeting to get clear on the details of how shifting to part-time would work. Come armed with a specific proposal outlining:
- Your proposed part-time schedule and total weekly hours
- How you’ll maintain excellent performance and availability during peak times
- Which current duties could be reassigned (and to whom, if possible)
- A suggested transition period and timeline
- Benefits to the company, like increased retention and continuity
Putting thought into the logistics will show your manager this is not just a whim, but a carefully considered request.
Emphasize Why It’s in the Company’s Interest
Frame your request around how the company and team will benefit, not just why the change is good for you personally. Highlight factors like:
- You’ll retain an excellent, experienced employee who delivers results
- Part-time status can aid recruiting and retention efforts
- It provides development opportunities for junior staff by reassigning some of your duties
- Your role can be covered without needing to hire additional headcount
- There will be management continuity on key projects and processes
This approach will help get your boss on board with supporting the transition.
Suggest a Trial Period
Propose trying part-time for a set period like 2-3 months to test it out. Offer to check in halfway through the trial to reevaluate how the schedule is working for both parties.
Presenting the change as a short-term experiment can alleviate any concerns your manager has about productivity, workload, or availability issues down the road.
Submit a Formal Written Proposal
Follow up your in-person discussion by sending your manager an email summarizing your request. Include details like:
- The business reasons why part-time would benefit the company
- Your proposed schedule, hours, and availability
- How duties could be covered or reassigned
- Suggested transition period and timeline
Having your request in writing gives your boss time to think it over and provide official approval or any suggested revisions.
Be Ready to Negotiate Flexibly
Approach the discussion as a collaborative process. Your manager may have concerns about workload coverage, availability for meetings, or continuity given your reduced hours.
Listen openly to these issues and brainstorm solutions together. Remain flexible to finding a schedule and plan that works well for all parties.
With patience and persistence, you can find the sweet spot between your needs and your team’s.
Offer to Train Others and Document Processes
During the transition, proactively train others on any processes or institutional knowledge they’ll need with your reduced role.
Also, take time to thoroughly document your workflows, contacts, and projects so co-workers can find information when you’re out of the office.
Being eager to share knowledge will ease the burden on your colleagues and manager as you shift to part-time status.
Adjust Responsibilities Gradually
If approved for part-time, don’t immediately dump a bunch of responsibilities on co-workers. Have an open dialogue with your manager and team about when and how to gradually transfer duties to others over a period of weeks or months.
This gives you time to wrap up work in progress and allows others to acclimate to new tasks at a manageable pace.
Check in Regularly After the Transition
Once your part-time schedule begins, follow up proactively with your boss to ensure it’s working smoothly for everyone involved.
Be receptive to any feedback on availability issues or projects that may need realignment between you and other team members.
Ongoing communication will help nip any problems in the bud before they become major issues.
Offer to Be Flexible When Needed
Within reason, remain open to your manager’s requests for extra help during busy periods, project deadlines, or staff absences.
Accommodating urgent needs once in a while will make your boss more supportive of your part-time status over the long term.
Thank Your Boss and Team
Once your part-time schedule is enacted, thank your manager sincerely for supporting the change. A handwritten note can be impactful.
Also, express appreciation to co-workers who take on additional responsibilities and collaborate to make the new arrangement a success.
With graciousness and teamwork, you can smoothly transition to part-time hours while keeping your workplace productive and positive.
Start with an informal chat.
Talk informally about why you are considering part-time hours and what it would mean for the team. Ask what you need to do to make part-time working work for everyone. Don’t make your first step be an official request.
The point of this step is to help you understand how your manager feels about it, and what concerns they may have. You can then address their objections in detail in your formal request.
“How do you negotiate going part-time?”
This is where we have to start having the conversation. Here’s what I’ve learned about part-time working in case you want to put forward an application yourself. Here’s how you start the negotiations!
How to Move a Full-Time Employee to Part-Time
FAQ
How do I ask to change from fulltime to part-time?
Can an employee change from full-time to part-time?
How do I request a part-time job?
Read the policy, and don’t assume your manager has. Ask formally for your request to be considered and be explicit about what ‘part-time’ means, listing the hours you are prepared to do. Requesting to go part-time is best done in writing at this stage, so put together a letter that asks that you go from full-time to part-time in your current role.
How do I request going from full to part time?
Here are five simple steps to request going from full to part time: 1. Understand why and when you’re asking to go part time Think about why exactly you want to go part time. While you don’t necessarily have to give your employer a reason for your request, investigating your logic for doing so can help you better understand your future needs.
How do I transition from full-time to part-time?
The following tips can help you go from full-time to part-time: During the months before you request to work part-time, conscientiously perform your duties, as this will help convince your manager that you can transition from full-time to part-time without impacting important deadlines or displeasing clients.
How do I ask for a part-time job?
You can then address their objections in detail in your formal request. Ask clearly and follow policy. Read the policy, and don’t assume your manager has. Ask formally for your request to be considered and be explicit about what ‘part-time’ means, listing the hours you are prepared to do.
