How to request to go from full-time to part-time

To request to go from full-time to part-time, use this guide:

• Reference your company's policy. Before you make the request, do some research on what your company's policies are on flexible schedules and other non-full time employee options.

  This is also advised because you may lose certain benefits when switching to part-time.

  If you know someone at your company that has made the switch from full-time to part-time, ask them how the process works.

• Prepare before asking. You might want to write down your request in a formal document. Or just write down your reasoning for the request.

  Anyway you can gather your thoughts and present your case in rational and compelling terms will be useful.

• Request a meeting with your manager. Do not just email or call your supervisor to make this request. You should schedule an in-person meeting to keep things as professional as possible.

  Even if you have a formal written request, you can give this to your manager at the meeting or send it to them afterward.

• Briefly go into why you want to switch to part-time. It is not essential to give every reason to your manager as to why you want to make this switch. Some of this may be personal information, so don't feel like you have to disclose everything.

  If you do share personal information, be sure to keep it professional. Sometimes this may even gain you sympathy from a supervisor; however, you should not see them as a shoulder to cry on.

• Remain flexible. Work with your supervisor; perhaps you could compromise on a trial period or a slow reduction in hours. Don't make it an all-or-nothing scenario.

  You should always have the goal of retaining your job unless you know you can find comparable part-time work elsewhere.