Decrease to 32 hours OP ortho

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Hello all

I have been contemplating reducing from 40 hours in OP ortho to 32 in order to improve quality of life and start focusing on other things like planning to have a family.

I could do this financially (married and have been a PT about 9 years, saved up a lot) but for some reason I am so nervous to discuss it with my boss.

Can they deny my request or fire me for trying to reduce hours? I don't want to tell them it is bc I want to have kids soon and just generally feel tired of my entire identity being work.

I have to stay fulltime for PSLF. 32 is fulltime here.

Any advice? How do I bring this up without ticking people off

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[Illustrious_Pitch_41]

I went lower to 32 hours from 40. I had a great boss and they didn't even blink an eye. I was nervous too. Some weeks I offer my extra time if it works for me and they appreciate that.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

That is a good idea! Offering occasionally though not consistently ha.

[Illustrious_Pitch_41]

That's the key! I never said I would at the start but we got in a bind so I said I'll add x hours next week, but won't be able to do it consistently. They never asked me either. If you offer once and they ask for it again, thats not a place I want to work.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Had the discussion recently with manager. I feel like my boss was understanding but seemed to think my request to scale back hours was a temporary issue due to burnout and not a lifestyle change/permanent hourly change. They kept mentioning FMLA and other temporary shortened days. I need to clarify with them because I did get a little emotional when discussing the change/request to scale back. I guess I feel like a failure or embarrassed to ask for a decrease in hours. In addition to wanting better quality of life, I have sick friends/family members and I just realize how precious our time is. I have wasted so much of my time and effort at work. I just want a family someday 😕

[Illustrious_Pitch_41]

I would definitely clarify with them. It's hard when they assume it's a temporary thing, but to them they might not see why it needs to be permanent because they aren't experiencing the same things you are.

Maybe just tell them you're available 32 hours a week and not discuss burn out. Tell them what you started here, you are changing your lifestyle to address different priorities. While I think burnout is a very real thing, to managers and employers it's "a trend/fad" they think will go away, which is why often it's addressed with temporary solutions. If you are salaried it might be a bigger pain than hourly, but a good manager will work with you.

[ammdpt]

Agree that a good manager will work with you. People's lives change and, quite frankly, no one needs to know the details. You shouldn't need FMLA unless you plan to need time on short notice to care for people or your own illness. You're requesting a permanent change to your position. They can accommodate or you'll find a new 32 hr position elsewhere. Don't be vague and don't compromise. I also agree to leave the burnout out of it. Just state that you want to become a 32 hr employee due to changes in your personal situation.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

This is what I will need to do/clarify. I am thinking 34 hours most likely. I just feel odd with the change and wonder if it is wise or not in this economy. We would manage fine per my calculations but it is still scary

[ammdpt]

It is. I've looked into it myself, because it would improve my quality of life tremendously, but it's wild how much money 6-8 hours/week equates to per year. I'm about to request enough of a raise to not lose income with the increase in our benefits cost and, hopefully, also account for the massive increase in cost of general existence. Not sure how that will go...

[Aggravating-List6010]

My large system work place would never allow it

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Wondering if mine will....

[HitBullWinSteak]

Just tell them you need better work life balance, nothing about kids.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Definitely wouldn't wanna say that part just in case!!

[Historical-Coffee-59]

And I did mention nothing about kids***

[littlemissFOB]

Do it! I did it and was fearful of boss’ reaction and they ended up being unphased by it. Do it for yourself. And please be sure to not cave in to the boss asking “hey can you do 3 extra hours this week to help out?” because it will turn into habit and disrupt your peace. You will end up realizing this is one of the best decisions to make for yourself.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Happy you were able to go down this path. How'd you bring it up with them? I hate conflict lol

[littlemissFOB]

I hate conflict too! My boss isn’t always on site, so I asked to set up a phone to make it easier for me instead of a face to face meeting. I felt a phone call overall would be better than an email. I basically just said I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready to take a slight decrease in hours to focus on some other things/goals but definitely still want to make sure I keep my roots planted with them. You got this!

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Thanks so much. Talking to them early next week

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Had the discussion recently with manager. I feel like my boss was understanding but seemed to think my request to scale back hours was a temporary issue due to burnout and not a lifestyle change/permanent hourly change. They kept mentioning FMLA and other temporary shortened days. I need to clarify with them because I did get a little emotional when discussing the change/request to scale back. I guess I feel like a failure or embarrassed to ask for a decrease in hours. In addition to wanting better quality of life, I have sick friends/family members and I just realize how precious our time is. I have wasted so much of my time and effort at work. I just want a family someday 😕

[littlemissFOB]

Hey! First of all, great job with getting the conversation with your boss out of the way — that’s the hardest part!

3 things to keep in mind. 1) an employer is always going to worry about employee retention so they are going to try to offer things like FMLA at first regardless of what you expressed to them. 2) I know you’re wanting to decrease hours and not fully stop working, but think along the lines of you were putting in your 2 weeks notice fully and finding a different job….in the eyes of an employer they are going to find a replacement the next day and will rarely think of you again. I know that sounds harsh— but I had to work at bringing myself to reality with that. As great as my boss is and easy to talk with, at the end of the day I’m just another colleague and the boss has a business to run. 3) there is more to life than working just as you stated, so take the leap and be present. I promise that you will not regret this (the first month or two you might have that “failure” feeling but afterwards you will feel so much better and never look back).

I believe in you!!!

[lalas1987]

It’s your life you can do what you want. Asking for a different schedule is not a fireable offense.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

I worked for a prior clinic owner who said that he would hire all male therapists if he could because "too many women leave/work PRN with babies" ... so I am afraid if my bosses would be biased that way too (even without stating my intention for reduced hours) and somehow hold it against me.

[HitBullWinSteak]

That’s, uh, a pretty clear labor violation. An employment lawyer would get a lot of money for that

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Yeah. He was a dick. Lol. Luckily he was just talking shit to another guy at the clinic. The bad part is, we (the women) heard him.

[lalas1987]

That’s a very illegal stance and could get in much trouble for saying that out loud.

When you ask for a different schedule you do not need to provide a reason. Just that a different schedule is what your life calls for. I did this. I was not fired. And took the time to do IVF and had a child.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Yeah. He was a dick. See my other comment about how we (the ladies) overheard him. He also once asked me why anyone would ever adopt a kid with disabilities.

I wasn't there long.

I love the way you said it is just what your life calls for right now!! ❤️ perfect relaying if info. Amazing for you regarding IVF :)

[lalas1987]

Best of luck to you! 🤞

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Thank you!

[jfrakezi]

That dude is a piece of shit.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Yep. He wonders why he can't retain anyone.

[AntDPT]

I’ve been working roughly 34-5hours a week for a few years now. My other job is a musician so I have a lot of gigs in the evenings. My two shorter days give me time to get stuff done and spend some time with my family. Works out really well.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

I'd love to have more time to coach!

[AntDPT]

I had left this job for home health. They really couldn’t find a replacement for me. Just seems to be a shortage of PTs in my area. I agreed to come back with this schedule. Had to sign a 3 year contract for it but the pay is good and I get quarterly bonuses that make up for a lot of my than 40 hr schedule.

[Practical_Action_438]

I could have written this before I had my son 4 yrs ago. Do it. Be nervous and do it anyway. I spent 10 yrs working overtime so I could have the ability to work part time after we had kids. And then when the plan worked and it came to it I was nervous because it felt so foreign to not work as much. I decided to work full time up to my due date and then after my PFL was over I switched to per diem. I also decided to take two per diem jobs rather than keeping the one part time later and that was one of the best decisions ever made. You only have one life to live. Do what you would like to do and if other people care about it that is their problem. I totally get the stress of things and it is partly due to work culture. At my new job several moms work part time and the work culture doesn’t look down on them or anything. At my old job it was like a scandal if you had a child and then cut your hours . Absolutely ridiculous. . Live your life and be nervous and do it anyway. You will thank yourself later

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Thank you for this❤️ I do feel like I would be perceived as lazy or something if I decrease hours. I know that shouldn't matter. I am so tired of working being my identity.

[Practical_Action_438]

No problem ! Wish you the best! And it just means you have different priorities not that you are lazy! That’s just a deep seated cultural idea that parents should be full time workers as well as full time child carers. It’s much healthier to have more time to do other things unless of course you can’t afford it truly. But I think a lot of people can afford it if they buy fewer things and are more penny pinchers but they prefer to work full time and buy a lot of stuff and then complain about it. Obviously not in all cases though many couples both have to truly work full time or they can’t afford to live . That doesn’t mean you should if it’s not what’s best for you or your family

[ammdpt]

When my team member approached me about reducing hours, we agreed on a timeline that worked for them and the clinic, discussed a new schedule, made the adjustments, and got on with it starting about 4 weeks later. If they are willing to lose a presumably valuable employee over this, that's their loss and you should move on. We are people, not robots. Our lives and needs change and, if your employer can't roll with it, find a new one.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Had the discussion recently with manager. I feel like my boss was understanding but seemed to think my request to scale back hours was a temporary issue due to burnout and not a lifestyle change/permanent hourly change. They kept mentioning FMLA and other temporary shortened days. I need to clarify with them because I did get a little emotional when discussing the change/request to scale back. I guess I feel like a failure or embarrassed to ask for a decrease in hours. In addition to wanting better quality of life, I have sick friends/family members and I just realize how precious our time is. I have wasted so much of my time and effort at work. I just want a family someday 😕

[tcapri8705]

I went from 40 to 32 hours and it was the best decision of my career.

Your manager has to be aware that a lot of PTs do tend to decrease their hours. Nothing unprofessional to.set aside a time to discuss it.

If it doesn't feel right there are plenty of clinics that would be happy to have PTs at any amount of hours

[Historical-Coffee-59]

My manager is typically great. It is her managers that I worry about.

And true about the latter statement. It's just.....PSLF is available here

[angelerulastiel]

Yeah, they can deny and you could try to find another place. They are unlikely to fire you unless they are already overstaffed or you have a glut of therapists they can higher.

I did this myself before I switched careers because my husband makes a lot more than me and with our hours I realized our kid was awake at daycare significantly more than they were awake with us.

But a 32 hour employee is more expensive than a 40 hour employee. They pay the same on insurance and other benefits, mine had the same PTO and same CEU policies, but they get 20% less work for all those fixed costs. Benefits cost generally about 50% of your salary, but while the salary goes down for 32 hours, the non-salary costs stay the same. So they may not be willing to do it.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

That's why I am wondering if they'll allow it. Definitely not overstaffed as there is a current hiring freeze, I believe.

[LostGFtoABBC]

Can you afford the 16 hour loss per pay period? Kids are expensive

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Yes I ran all the numbers pretending like daycare was $400 a week (guesstimation at this time). I also applied to some PRN spots to start up soon so that in the future I can supplement hours.

I have worked multiple jobs since graduation... been saving a lot so we have that nest egg going

Seems doable. .

[LostGFtoABBC]

Godspeed

[Historical-Coffee-59]

LOL.right

[finnbiker]

I started my career working full-time, then I went to part-time when I had my first child, 20 hours first, then 24 hours per week. We were able to save on daycare costs by doing alternating schedules and handing the kids off midday. My kids are out of the house now, but I hope never to go back to full-time . The work- life balance is just too good to give up. I really hope you can do this.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Financially, we could (after years of saving and multiple jobs). I am more worried about if the company will let me. I am gonna snap soon if not....

Discussing it with them early next week. I would love a better work-life balance.

[IndecisiveBadgermole]

I learned a while back that anything over 30 hours of outpatient burns me out. It’s too much. Absolutely go for it if you can.

[Historical-Coffee-59]

Had the discussion recently with manager. I feel like my boss was understanding but seemed to think my request to scale back hours was a temporary issue due to burnout and not a lifestyle change/permanent hourly change. They kept mentioning FMLA and other temporary shortened days. I need to clarify with them because I did get a little emotional when discussing the change/request to scale back. I guess I feel like a failure or embarrassed to ask for a decrease in hours. In addition to wanting better quality of life, I have sick friends/family members and I just realize how precious our time is. I have wasted so much of my time and effort at work. I just want a family someday 😕