Redesign Your Job Into a
Part-time Arrangement: A
Pre-Proposal Planning Exercise
All the work-life experts agree: The proven, most effective way
to get approval to work a part-time schedule is to make your request with
a written proposal outlining the details of your redesigned work
arrangement.
The planning steps below get you started. Print out this page and
complete the crucial pre-proposal preparation so you can insert the custom portions of your proposal.
Ready? Start the steps.
Note: After you've considered the specific work schedule you’d like,
then completed the steps below, realize you may have to adjust your desired schedule to better match the
responsibilities of your job.
Step 1. List the various work functions of your current position. Be
thorough; use rich, detailed
descriptions related to your job role. (This reminds your manager and others
who may review your proposal how you are contributing to the organization.) Draw on your official job
description and keep a work log to aid you.
Step 2. Carefully think through the specifics of each job function. Then label each
function with the letter corresponding to the descriptions below.
A Critical essence of my job or an employer priority, or both
B Enjoyable; a professional challenge; interesting; a good use of my talents and
skills
C Could be delegated to a subordinate or done by a part-time new hire (at a
lower hourly wage than yours) either on my “off” day(s) or all the time
D Could be reassigned to a coworker or another department
E Could be a shared job function
F Could be eliminated and wouldn’t be missed (a careful assessment of job
tasks often reveals some to be simply “busy work,” a duplication, or otherwise
unnecessary)
For some job functions that are generally quantified, suggest a number that
coincides with your new schedule. For example, Emily is an account executive who
adjusted the number of accounts she services; Neil is a physical therapist who
revised the number of patients he sees in his shortened workday.
For those job functions which may need some level of coverage during your
“off” day(s), devise a way for each to be handled. Provide a brief narrative for each
one.
Determine to what degree coverage is needed. Do you need full coverage or just a
back-up for unexpected situations? Will the back-up be another person or will
you be contacted you by cell phone, email or other means? Include the
specifics when you complete Step 3.
If your reduced workweek makes it necessary for some job functions to be
reassigned to someone else within or outside your work group or department,
outline specifics and rationale for each. If someone else will perform a
function only in your absence, is it a skills development opportunity for a
staff person whose work you could check on your next workday? Indicate this.
Work through the specifics and note them for inclusion when you do Step 3.
Step 3. Take your results from Step 2 above and regroup the job functions by
letter. Job functions labeled “A” would be listed together followed by job
functions labeled “B,” and so on.
Step 4. Finally, insert your results into the format found below the
introduction paragraph in the “B. Job Responsibilities” section of the
Part-time Proposal Package.
If you want to complete your proposal ASAP, order the
Part-time Proposal Package. It could be on your computer in about six minutes from
now, customized in about an hour, and ready to present to your manager by
tomorrow.
Need to Learn More Before You Order?
Proposal
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guarantee
Proposal
Package Contents: Describes what you get
Frequently
Asked Questions
Why use the
WorkOptions Proposal Package?
“Consultant Pat
Katepoo has thought of everything, put it into
no-nonsense terminology and included an irresistible
business case. Just fill in the blanks.”
Susan Seitel,
President, WFC Resources
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