TIME TO MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU

Cara Jenkin discovers the tricks workers can use to scale back their hours

PART-TIME employment used to be the exclusive domain of mums with young children and high school students.

In the modern work environment, it increasingly is being embraced by a wider demographic who want to ease themselves into retirement, juggle further study with work mid-career, allow time to care for ageing parents, or test the waters for a career change.

Leadership and career expert Michelle Gibbings, author of

Career Leap: How to reinvent and liberate

your career, says whatever the reason, there are six steps to take to have a successful transition.

THINK AHEAD

“It’s often easier to get flexible work in the organisation you are already working for,” Gibbings says. “If you are keen to go part time, give your boss plenty of notice so they have time to consider and plan.

“If they are hesitant about how it may work and its suitability, offer to go part time on a trial basis so you can demonstrate to them that it can work.”

MAKE THE ASK

“The saying ‘ Don’t ask, don’t get’ often rings true,” Gibbings says.

“You need to be willing to make the ask for flexible working and have your case spelt out as to why it benefits the organisation and how it can work.”

FIND THE RIGHT OPTION

There are many forms of part-time work – working fewer hours (traditional part time), working the same hours but over fewer days (a compressed working week) or working to deliver a defined piece of work for a fixed rate (consulting/contract work).

“Know what type of work you are looking for as there are different conditions and security attached to the options,” Gibbings says.

SEEK HOT SPOTS

Part-time work options are becoming available in a growing number of jobs and industries.

Some industries, particularly retail, healthcare, consulting, government, education, hospitality and other service-based industries, have well-established practices.

BE REASONABLE

“The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to find part-time work,” Gibbings says. “If you can accommodate your potential employer’s needs and make yourself highly valued in the workplace, it’s easier to negotiate what you want.”

STAY THE COURSE

Jobseekers who can emphasise to potential employers their commitment and dedication to the position will be more highly regarded.

“When you are reliable, productive and a great contributor to the team, your employer will come to rely on you, and that helps with any future negotiations that are needed around working flexibly,” Gibbings says.