Asking to return to full-time job as part-time

In May last year I went on 9 months mat leave. I was granted an extension until July this year, and cannot be granted any further extensions.

I'd like to stay in the field, as I studied for 3 years to become qualifiedand worked for the company for five years..... Getting to the point, my job was full time, BUT I'd like to see if I can return to work part-time.

I am planning on emailing my boss, as I think if I went in and met him with this proposal he'd be a bit shocked and on the backfoot and so no immediately.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can write in the email???

You have the right to request to return part time and your boss must give it reasonable consideration but they can decline your request if the role doesn't suit part time (after they have considered it as an option of course).

I think the best approach would be to say that you are looking forward to returning but would like to return part time and state the reasons eg. Lack of childcare, wanting to balance work/life with a baby. Then say that you have given it a great deal of thought and provide some back up arguments on how you believe the role can be managed on a part time basis. Maybe provide some options on hours/days and weigh them up for your boss so they can see how it can work on a practical basis.

I was doing this and had a form somewhere where you addressed certain generic points , a friend and I were proposing a job share - in the end it didn't happen because they made whole department redundant as moved jobs overseas. I probably still have the form, if I have it will PM you and can email it.

I did this when I returned from maternity leave. Luckily the lady who had been filling in for me wanted to go part time also so we orgnaised a job share. She ended up leaving after about 3 months and I still remained part time. We hired an office junior fulltime to cover the rest.

I would propose part time or job share, not just part time. I think Nai has given some great advice above.

Good luck.
Janie xxx

I did part time as office floater when I first went back to to work.. I was a supervisor before I left, but was happy to go back to a different roll. It was the same industry, just not a permanent role..

I now job share and work 2 days a week for a different company. So between me and the other girl, we have a full time roll in the job we like, just with the more suited hrs.

ETA - answer to your question.. You know your role. Think about if and how it can be split to work part time. What is happening now? Is someone covering it or was it divvied between other staff for the duration of your leave? If you can sell it to your boss, he may suprise you.. But if you think he is going to be reluctant, do some of the thinking for him.

Thanks for your responses.
Have you got that form Nai? I'd love to see it if it isn't too much trouble.
There is another girl on mat leave due back a few months after me, so he may be able to be sold on job-share if she is willing.
I think they have filled my role with two people at the moment :S

Nai's advice is spot on. What are some of the reasons you think your boss will say no, what ideas do you have to make it work?

What kind of work do you do? Is it realistic to do it on a part time basis? Do you know anyone else at your work who does it? What hours do you want to work? How would they need to cover the rest of the work?

Good luck with the meeting!

There isn't actually much to the form so will just paste it in here - it was called "Application Form for alternative working arrangements"

After name etc it had the following sections

Current Working Arrangements:

Type of Alternative Working Arrangement seeking:

Reason for request and intended activities during new work arrangement:
(Please provide details of the reason for the request and details of what you propose to do, having particular regard to activities that may be in conflict with **** business of your role)

Business impact of proposed new work arrangement:
(Provide your assessment of the suitability of your current position for the proposed new work arrangement)

Mutual benefit:
(Provide details of the mutual benefit you can identify for you and ***** if this application is granted)

Hope this is of some use - after initially filling in a draft of this, we then had a meeting with manager and added a further section discussing concerns raised during that meeting and how we would address them.

Sorry wysiwyg, I asked the wrong person for the form! Thanks for following up and posting it for me.
It is probably a good idea to have it here, I'm sure I won't be the last person to be in this situation

Dear XXX,

With my return to work date approaching, I have researched the cost of local childcare providers and on my full time wage (also taking into account DP's wage) I would struggle financially to return to work full time. I have now worked for XXXX for over 5 years I feel I have a loyalty to the company and do, very much so, wish to continue working for you.

After much careful consideration, I have decided to email you to ask if you would consider allowing me to return to work on a part-time basis, or in a job share position.

I ask that you consider my request in relation to the following points:

If I was to return to work on a part time basis this would benefit XXX, as the company would not be paying out a full time wage, yet I would still be able to bring my experience and knowledge of the systems in place to the XXXX team. Alternatively, I would be happy to work as part of a job share role should you feel full time hours would be more beneficial to the business.

I have always worked well as part of the existing team and feel that reducing my hours would have no detriment to this.

I would hope that I would return to work at the end of my maternity leave in July 2012 and work 2 full days a week - totalling 16 hours a week.

I do not have any preference in which two days I would work and am happy to work any two set days at the request of XXXX, to ensure the days I would work would be
of most benefit to the company.

I ask that you please consider my request and I would be more than happy to come into the office to discuss this further.

Kind regards.

Does this read ok??
I'm too nervous to send it!!

Hi Harriet

I recently had to do this with my employer. I didn't do anything by email except for request a meeting and then told him face to face. It was easier for me that way... Have you thought of doing that? Or is that a bit hard to do?

It went well with my employer, I had other issues, mental health, being single and other kids and he gave me consideration and we worked out a compromise.

Best of luck!