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

A full-time job often requires strong dedication, and you may find balancing it with other parts of your life difficult. Switching to a part-time job is one way to avoid burnout and stress. Some ask their employers to reduce their hours, and others apply for a part-time job at another company. This article provides more information about how to go from full-time to part-time, what the benefits of doing so are, and how to turn a part-time job into full-time again when you're ready.

The benefits of going from full-time to part-time

According to Statista, 26.42 million people in the United States worked part-time in May 2023. Switching from a full-time job to a part-time position can have a variety of benefits, including the following:

More free time

If you're always busy and rarely have time to relax or enjoy hobbies or passion projects, working part-time can help. You can reduce your stress and get involved in projects such as writing a novel or replacing the flooring in your home. You'll also have more time with your children and other family members. Another benefit to a part-time job is that it can give you more opportunities to exercise and focus on your health. A more flexible schedule enables you to change things around when needed, and you may get to work remotely some or all the time.

Making an easier transition to retirement

You probably look forward to retirement, but deciding what to do with your time when you stop working can be difficult. Instead of immediately going from a full-time job to retirement, some work part-time for several years before retiring. For example, many lawyers become legal consultants for their firms after they retire. Instead of working with clients directly or going to court, they advise less experienced attorneys and help them win cases.

You can also enjoy the benefits of going from full-time to part-time as you continue earning an income and avoid using your retirement savings for as long as possible. It's also a great way to stay in touch with coworkers and avoid feeling lonely or bored.

New job opportunities

New job or business opportunities can present themselves anytime, but you may be unable to take advantage of them if you have a busy schedule because of a full-time job. Switching to part-time work can enable you to start your own business. You can also try another job in a new industry and see if you like it before you stop working at your current position and commit to a new full-time role.

Lower commuting costs

You generally won't make as much while working part-time as you would with full-time work, but you may not have as many expenses. Commuting can be costly, and reducing your commute from five days a week to two or three days can help you avoid breaking your budget.

"Let your employer know when you want to switch to part-time hours, what you want your schedule to be like, and whether your change to part-time will be temporary or permanent. If possible, speak to them one or two months before you want to start working part-time."

How to switch from part-time to full-time employment

Before you start looking for a new part-time job, take the time to talk to your employer. Managers often prefer to retain full-time employees in part-time positions instead of hiring and training new people. The following tips can help you go from full-time to part-time:

Ensure your performance is high-quality

During the months before you request to work part-time, conscientiously perform your duties, as this will help convince your manager that you can transition from full-time to part-time without impacting important deadlines or displeasing clients.

Explain why and when you want to go part-time

Consider why you want a part-time job and what you want to say to your employer. While you don't have to explain your reasoning, telling your employer why you want to change your hours can make it more likely they'll grant your request. For example, if you have a young child, you could say you want to spend more time with them until they start preschool or kindergarten.

Let your employer know when you want to switch to part-time hours, what you want your schedule to be like, and whether your change to part-time will be temporary or permanent. If possible, speak to them one or two months before you want to start working part-time. The company then has time to assign some of your responsibilities to others or hire another part-time worker. Since many companies offer fewer benefits for part-time workers than full-time employees, your manager could save money by switching your full-time role into two part-time positions.

Along with scheduling a meeting with your manager about changing to part-time hours, it's a good idea to send a letter or email detailing what you want and assuring the company that you can make the transition smooth for everyone involved. Depending on company rules, you may also need to send a copy to the HR department.

Compartmentalize your role

Think about which parts of your job you want to continue doing part-time and which parts other people can handle. You'll likely need to continue doing the most complex parts requiring specialized expertise. For example, if you're an office administrator, you could continue depositing customer checks, keeping new inventory orders within the budget, and organizing accounting and transaction records. Someone else could update schedules, remind managers about appointments, and compose company emails to employees.

Train others

After you and your manager decide which duties you'll continue, you may need to train those assigned to handle your other responsibilities. Training coworkers can encourage them to think of you as a mentor.

How to be successful at part-time work

You can do several things to stay successful after switching to part-time work. Ensure that people know how to reach you during your regular hours, even after you start working part-time. Those taking care of some of your duties may need to contact you with questions. Staying in touch with your coworkers can also help you network and encourage others to continue viewing you as essential, even when you work part-time instead of full-time.

You can make your transition easier for everyone by suggesting one or more trial periods, as this allows you and your manager to fix any problems that arise before you start working part-time. It also ensures no one must suddenly adapt to a significant change. For example, if you work 40 hours a week, you could work 35 hours instead and spend some time training those who will be sharing your duties. You could then lower your hours to 30 hours per week and continue teaching others.

After the trial period, you and your manager can discuss your performance and decide whether the change will be permanent. If it's a temporary change, you can apply for positions at other companies while you enjoy your lightened duties and continue in your current position. Your manager may be willing to give you some help with your responsibilities even if you can't switch to part-time hours.

A part-time job can have many benefits. Working part-time is a great way to make your job less stressful. It'll also give you more time with family and friends. If you're considering the benefits of going from full-time to part-time, you can ask to make your current position part-time or upload your resume to CareerBuilder and apply for part-time jobs.