Work Takes

How do I go about lobbying a 4 day work week for myself?

I am going on 20 yrs with my current employer. I love working for them, and have no complaints really. I would like to be able to work from home one day a week or go to 10 hour shifts, four days a week. How do I go about proposing this?

Public Comments

1. This might be a tough sell. The best business decisions benfit both parties. You need to find a way to present the new schedule, so that it's to the employer's advantage -- not just to your advantage. Perhaps the office can be open additional hours or there will be better coverage by you working 10 hours per day, 4 days per week. Approach your employer as "I would be willing to stay after 5 pm (or come in early, or whatever) so we wouldn't miss those calls, if I only worked 4 days per week." Working from home one day per week is an even tougher sell. Many, many employers are reluctant to pay someone who is out of the office. If your work includes a monitoring system (for example, if they can see that you are logged in on the computer and working) then the employer might more readily agree. You can always ask, but chances are the employer will say "no." Again, unless there is an advantage for them in the deal. One of the problems is that all too often, "working from home" really means "not working." If you are willing to take a pay cut in return for working fewer hours, say so. You can also propose that the employer try the new schedule for 2 months. Then if it doesn't work out, you can go back to your current schedule. Present them with a proposal (preferably written) that outlines the advantages to this system for them, and details your responsibilities under it. Issues like who will pay for computers and office supplies have to be resolved. Employers sometimes agree to an alternate work schedule to keep a valued employee who has found a better job. But, don't try to bluff -- you're likely to end up with no job!