Reduced hours is the oldest form of flexible work and still one of the most valuable. The risk is that part-time roles become career cul-de-sacs. Here is how to avoid that.
Negotiating a part-time role
- Reduce the workload, not just the hours. Agree which responsibilities move elsewhere. Otherwise you do a full-time job on part-time pay.
- Fix your days. Predictable days make it easier for colleagues to plan around you.
- Check pro-rata benefits: holidays, pension, bonuses and training budgets.
- Ask about review and return: can you increase hours later?
How job-sharing works
Two people share one role. Common patterns are 2.5 days each with a Wednesday overlap, or three days each with one shared day. It works best when partners have complementary strengths and a shared handover document.
Make the handover reliable
- A shared inbox or clear rules on who replies to what.
- A running handover note: decisions, open items, things to watch.
- One voice to stakeholders — disagreements stay between the partners.
- Joint objectives and a joint performance review.
Protecting your progression
Keep your achievements visible, ask for stretch projects that fit your schedule, and make sure promotion criteria are about outcomes rather than hours. If your employer has never promoted a part-time worker, ask why.
Want to write your request? Use the request letter generator and choose “part-time” or “job-share.”