Need Some Phrasing Help For Work.

[Donal DeLay]

I'm going to go in Monday and talk to my HR manager about only working 3 days a week. I'm a full-time employee so the least amount I can work is 32 hrs. 4 full days.

Now, I KNOW she's going to ask for a reason, and I'm going to say "personal reasons. I can only work four days a week. Full 8hr days, but only 4 days. Any days."

BUT, knowing the type of cunt my HR is, she's going to deny my request unless she knows WHY. So what I WANT to say is "I don't think thie company needs to know the intimate details of my personal life in order to justify my sheduling needs. Personal situations in my life require I need 3 days off a week. Split apart, or together, doesn't matter."

Is that being uncooperative?

See, the thing is 32hrs a week is enough to pay my bills, etc. and save money. My wife has agreed to keep working 40hrs while I cut back to 32hrs to focus on the comic projects I have lined up that are getting seriously neglected because of my job. (this decision to do 32hrs was at HER incistance, BTW. She was the one that thought of it, demanded it, and won't let it die unless I agree despite the fact I want that extra 150bucks to pay more on the 3800.00 debt.)

So, was that being uncooperative?

[Jamie Howdeshell]

Why is it unreasonable for the woman to ask why you want to be treated special?

:-?

[RickLM]

Be vague, but make it sound like its personal and serious. "My wife has asked that I do this. I need to be there for her. I could probably give you more details down the road, depending on how things turn out."

Or is that too far-fetched?

I would also be reluctant to give my real reasons to a jerk boss. Sometimes the only way is to make up a good lie, or something that sounds serious but that you can't go into details on.

[xyzzy]

It is perfectly reasonable for you not to want to divulge details of your personal life. However, it is also reasonable for your HR person to want some sort of rationale for giving you preferential treatment regarding scheduling. So, withhold all you like, just don't necessarily expect to get what you want.

As far as the phrasing, I'd say yours is too confrontational and aggressive. You can't just say, "I prefer not to divulge the details of my personal life." or something similar? The way you put it looks like you're itching for a fight. One you'll lose since you don't really have the power in this relationship.

[Donal DeLay]

Why is it unreasonable for the woman to ask why you want to be treated special?

:-? How am I being treated special? It's Lowes, they have hour availability sheets we can (and I will) fill out. There are several employees that work up to 30hrs because they don't want to be full time. It's normal business.

As it is, I was moved to Cashier now, and there are 3 full time cashiers out of 20 or so. (not including head cashiers) Most employee's become cashiers BECAUSE of their hourly needs.


Be vague, but make it sound like its personal and serious. "My wife has asked that I do this. I need to be there for her. I could probably give you more details down the road, depending on how things turn out."

Or is that too far-fetched?

I would also be reluctant to give my real reasons to a jerk boss. Sometimes the only way is to make up a good lie, or something that sounds serious but that you can't go into details on. I don't want to lie, but I also don't want to tell her "I need the extra day off to draw comics" because she'll deny it right away.


It is perfectly reasonable for you not to want to divulge details of your personal life. However, it is also reasonable for your HR person to want some sort of rationale for giving you preferential treatment regarding scheduling. So, withhold all you like, just don't necessarily expect to get what you want.

As far as the phrasing, I'd say yours is too confrontational and aggressive. You can't just say, "I prefer not to divulge the details of my personal life." or something similar? The way you put it looks like you're itching for a fight. One you'll lose since you don't really have the power in this relationship.

I honestly don't think it's preferential treatment if I'm 1 of over 50 people with hours needs. I'm not asking for specific days. In my mind, at my work, it'd be preferential to ask for certain days but not 3 days off.

And the phrasing of it is why I wanted help. I don't want to be aggressive, despite my normal tendancies to, I want to be calm and polite so I actually GET what I want.

[BCD]

Don't call her a cunt. When people are called cunts they get all cunty.

[Jamie Howdeshell]

How am I being treated special? It's Lowes, they have hour availability sheets we can (and I will) fill out. There are several employees that work up to 30hrs because they don't want to be full time. It's normal business.


Maybe I'm confused. Are you willing to get rid of your full-time status and benefits (if any)?

If so, then there is nothing wrong with your request according to the rules you've laid out and it's none of the HR person's business why you want to do so.

But if you are trying to bend the rules, than you are asking for special treatment so an explanation would be necessary, I think.

Just my opinion.

[Donal DeLay]

Maybe I'm confused. Are you willing to get rid of your full-time status and benefits (if any)?

If so, then there is nothing wrong with your request according to the rules you've laid out and it's none of the HR person's business why you want to do so.

But if you are trying to bend the rules, than you are asking for special treatment so an explanation would be necessary, I think.

Just my opinion.
An employee MUST get a MINIMUM of 32 hours to be considered full time and retain their full time benefits.

Anything less will clasify said employee as part time and their benefits will change. However, the change is incedibly minimal. Like, as a PT I wouldn't have access to the company lawyer or something insignificant like only getting 4hrs holiday instead of 8.

BUT, part timers can have their work time reduced to 10hrs a week, and I'd rather keep my full time status (especially since I want to be full time when my wife and I move and I transfer) so 32 is the bare minimum I can work to keep it.

I'm not trying to bend rules in any way I know of as far as policies go.

[Mr. E!]

Just tell her that you're an artist and you need time to meet commitments you have made.

[BCD]

Just tell her that you're an artist and you need time to meet commitments you have made.

Wouldn't the job he's asking for more time off from be seen as a commitment as well? I would not say that the reason you need more time is because of another job of any kind.

[bartleby]

Weren't you just a few weeks ago worrying about your employer phasing you out? Maybe now isn't the right time to be making demands about when they schedule you to work.

[xyzzy]

I honestly don't think it's preferential treatment if I'm 1 of over 50 people with hours needs. I'm not asking for specific days. In my mind, at my work, it'd be preferential to ask for certain days but not 3 days off.

Perhaps preferential is not the right word, but the fact is that it's something that you want that they're under no obligation to give. At the very least that makes it a favor. Right now it seems like you're acting like you're entitled to this schedule and on the other hand saying that you're not.

Whatever you think, I believe that it is important that you approach this like you were asking for a huge favor. I'm not saying that you need to beg on your knees, but at least remember that you're asking for a favor, not demanding an entitlement.


And the phrasing of it is why I wanted help. I don't want to be aggressive, despite my normal tendancies to, I want to be calm and polite so I actually GET what I want.

I think that's good. Try to avoid saying "none of your/the company's business."

[Thommy Melanson]

Tell her you need an extra day each week to help find Bin Laden.

What red-blooded American would question that?

[sleep]

Whatever you think, I believe that it is important that you approach this like you were asking for a huge favor. I'm not saying that you need to beg on your knees, but at least remember that you're asking for a favor, not demanding an entitlement.
QFT (I feel ridiculous typing this acronym.)

Most managers I know schedule based on the needs of the business, not the needs of the individual.

[Donal DeLay]

Weren't you just a few weeks ago worrying about your employer phasing you out? Maybe now isn't the right time to be making demands about when they schedule you to work.

I'm not going to demand anything, I'm going to ask really.


Perhaps preferential is not the right word, but the fact is that it's something that you want that they're under no obligation to give. At the very least that makes it a favor. Right now it seems like you're acting like you're entitled to this schedule and on the other hand saying that you're not.

Whatever you think, I believe that it is important that you approach this like you were asking for a huge favor. I'm not saying that you need to beg on your knees, but at least remember that you're asking for a favor, not demanding an entitlement.



I think that's good. Try to avoid saying "none of your/the company's business."

You're right, they're not obligated to give me anything. But I want to find a way to get the extra day off without sounding like I'm demanding it, or giving out ultimatums, etc. Also without having to explain WHY I want the day off.

[bartleby]

I'm going to go in Monday and talk to my HR manager about only working 3 days a week. I'm a full-time employee so the least amount I can work is 32 hrs. 4 full days.

Now, I KNOW she's going to ask for a reason, and I'm going to say "personal reasons. I can only work four days a week. Full 8hr days, but only 4 days. Any days."


Also, I can't figure out if you're trying to work a 3-day week or a 4-day week.

[Donal DeLay]

Also, I can't figure out if you're trying to work a 3-day week or a 4-day week.
4-day week. I want to work 32hrs a week. Not set days. Any random days they see fit to schedule me. I just want to work 4 full time 8hr days is all. No more.

Sorry about that, I was think 3-days off when I typed part of that sentence.

[xyzzy]

I'm not going to demand anything, I'm going to ask really.



You're right, they're not obligated to give me anything. But I want to find a way to get the extra day off without sounding like I'm demanding it, or giving out ultimatums, etc. Also without having to explain WHY I want the day off.

This is going to sound lame, I'm sure, but be sure to use "I" statements instead of "you" statements.

You go in there and say, "Hi, I'd like to discuss my work schedule, if you have a moment."
She'll ask you what you want or schedule some time for you and then ask what you want.
You say, "I'd like to adjust my schedule so that I work 4 8 hour days a week. It doesn't matter which days."
If she asks why, you say, "I'm sorry, but I'd prefer not to discuss my personal issues at this time."

[TonyFleecs]

So, why is it a personal issue that you want to focus on your art?

Art's a job... it's not against the rules to have 2 jobs... and I think most people will understand if you want to focus on the job that will eventually be your career.

They let people cut back on their hours to go to college, don't they?

[Donal DeLay]

So, why is it a personal issue that you want to focus on your art?

Art's a job... it's not against the rules to have 2 jobs... and I think most people will understand if you want to focus on the job that will eventually be your career.

They let people cut back on their hours to go to college, don't they?

Because it's another job. She'll say her concern is for the needs of LOWES not my other job, and since it's an art job that can work around their schedule she'll deny the request based on that.

Coming off nights, I saw this all the time. They don't give 2 shits about your life outside of Lowes. 3 people on overnights had second jobs. One person worked for Pepsi and it states in his contract that employees MUST show up to work no later than 530am. It's true. He showed me the actual page it was written on, and showed it to her. Even though he's SCHEDULED out at Lowes at 5am, he was told EVERY DAY that he had to stay until the freight was off the floor, regardless of outside commitments. Regardless of how late he had to stay.

When he left at 5am, his scheduled time out, so he could make it to his other job, he was written up 3 times for "job abandonment" and "not being a team player"

Other employees are written up, or yelled at for showing up late, or leaving on time to get to other jobs or school, etc. Despite having told HR of their situations.

So, telling her it's for another job probably won't cut it.

[Keith P.]

Tell her you are having "female problems" and then make a grimace like you had a sudden cramp.

In my experience, no one asks questions after that.

[Donal DeLay]

My HR is female ... and pregnant. She'll just want to talk about the "female problems" over ice cream.

[DrMachine]

I can't believe they'd accommodate you. Good luck bro'.