How would you like to keep your current income yet have more free time during the week to spend with your family? Most people would say, “Yes, PLEASE!” How about you? The way that you can have a shorter work week and more time with family is by working longer hours a few days per week. For example, you could work four 10 hour days and have one day a week off in addition to the weekend. Or, you could work three 12 hour days and one half day to have a day and a half off. Some people prefer to work six days per week for six and a half hours each day. This is great for those individuals who want to be able to pick their kids up from school and attend their school events. Still others don’t want a shorter work week but would prefer to start at 9 or 10 and work a little later so they have time to drop the kids off at school in the morning.

Now, what you need to decide is a work schedule that will work for you and also work for your company. What if you can do the majority of your work at the office but there are some things that you could easily do at home? Present this to your boss and see what his/her reaction is. Perhaps getting a shorter work week is as easy as asking. More and more employers are becoming more sensitive to their employees and their need to balance work and family. Because of this it is quite possible that you can negotiate a schedule that will help you balance your life.

What’s important is that you have a plan when you talk to your boss. If you walk in your boss’ office and ask for a shorter work week you aren’t likely to receive what you are asking for. However if you have a detailed plan about the schedule that would work best with your life and family and can prove that you can still get all of your job done then your boss might be willing to give you a 2 week period to show him how it would be.

Now, if your boss does not approve the first time you ask don’t give up. Instead, revise your plan and find a way that you can make it happen. What’s important is that you know what will work for you and you can prove to your boss that your level of work won’t go down. In fact, most people who have better work schedules are more productive!

Posted in Home Budget

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