Work fewer hours and get paid more? With a keen strategy and skillful negotiation, it can be a reality.

For this purpose, the term ‘raise’ reflects a boost in relative dollars, not absolute dollars.

In other words, your new, pro-rated salary, though lower to correspond with fewer hours worked, translates into a substantially higher hourly rate.

Here’s an example from my own experience. Years ago, while working full-time in a salaried position, I proposed a four-day workweek without a cut in my compensation.

It was stridently opposed. (The executive director was a strident guy all-around, so that’s how his answer was!)

But within the same hour of negotiations, I instead suggested a 5% reduction in pay to go along with my request for a 20% reduction in hours (i.e., a 32-hour workweek).

He agreed! Employee benefits intact besides. (I think saving money, even a relatively small amount, is what appealed. There was also some room for me to better align with the market value for the position.)

I was ecstatic. When figured on an hourly basis, this was essentially a double-digit raise. That, along with one weekday off each week, really kicked my job satisfaction up several notches.

Others Have Done It, Too

I've had acquaintances and some Flex Success Proposal Template users negotiate similar arrangements.

Thanks to your [Part-time] Flex Success template, I was successful in getting my work schedule changed from full-time [40 hours] to Mon-Thurs 8-5:30, with Fridays off [34 hours], yet keeping my current salary and full benefits. My proposal was well-accepted by the decision-makers. They liked that it was very detailed and that I had a plan for the times I'd be out of the office. MANY THANKS again for your proposal template! Rosalie Seiler, Sales Associate/Office Manager, Hotel & Meeting Planning Industry, Parker, CO

Here's an Alternative Way to Get a Similar Result

At your next performance review when you're expecting and offered a raise, acknowledge your employer’s recognition of your performance and contribution to the company. Then say you’d like to forego the pay raise and trade it instead for time. From that point, negotiate for more hours than pay.

For example, while a 10% raise could be traded for four hours off each week, that's a hefty pay hike most people are unlikely to see in one shot. However it costs your employer nothing in direct pay dollars to give you more time, so it's possible to negotiate those same four hours off (10%) as a trade for a raise of 3 to 7%.

Could You Do It?

It sounds gutsy.

It is. But consider whether you could pull it off.

How well it goes may depend on:

Timing — Can you time your negotiation with your regularly scheduled performance review and merit raise? Or, after successfully completing a major project with which your manager is well-pleased?

Your perceived value — Is there a shortage of candidates in your job category or do you offer a unique combination of skills and experience that strengthens your negotiating leverage? I had both these factors going for me in my negotiations.

Which work responsibilities you will retain — A four day workweek allows for better retention of your key responsibilities over a three day workweek, and will likely allow you to ask for more of what you want.

The quality of your relationship with your manager — A supportive and appreciative manager is a key factor. In my case, my immediate supervisor was supportive, but the real decision-maker with whom I had to cut the deal had a combative management style. Yet, I was able to swing the deal. So remember, anything is possible!

Here’s a good scenario: You’ve been at your job for more than three years with the same manager with whom there is a high degree of mutual respect and good communication. There’s been formal (performance reviews, raises) and informal acknowledgment of your high-level responsibilities and achievements.

That’s a favorable environment for proposing a four day workweek with less than a 20% salary cut.

Especially if you are the only one in your job category and if you restructure your job to continue to maintain key responsibilities.

While I recognize the limitations imposed on civil service workers and union members in striking such a deal, for others, the opportunity is ripe for creative salary negotiations.

As the diet ads say, “Individual results may vary.”

Evaluate the Risks

Evaluate the risks/payoff equation for yourself. Do a reality check with trusted friends about your prospects of successfully crafting this compensation coup. The payoff is worth it!

Read About Part-time Flex Success Proposal Template or...

Redesign Your Job to Part-time: Free self-paced planning exercises right on this site. 

Related articles:

Flexible Work: Get a YES By Doing These Steps

How to Afford Part-time Hours

Show your manager that a part-time schedule is practical when you have a way to access your work computer from home, if there was an urgent need.

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