Dear Colette,
With summer coming up, I’d really like to work half days on Fridays, not only to beat the wicked traffic home, but to spend more time getting away for the weekend with my family. We love to camp, and getting an early start would help. How should I approach my supervisor?
Friday Freedom
Dear Friday Freedom,
When I lived in Chicago, getting out early on summer Fridays was routine. We had so little time to soak up the sun most managers were game for the idea. However, not all companies are like-minded. What you need to do is build a case to show your supervisor how you plan to manage your workload, and support your team or customers in your absence.
Brainstorm ways you can make up the time – can you work from home one evening, come in early or leave later during the rest of the week? How will you handle situations that come up in your absence? Is there someone on the team that’s willing to cover for you, can you be reached on your cell during that time, etc.? Check to see if anyone in the company has set a precedent. Ask them for additional ideas and support. Suggest a “trial period” where you can review whether it’s working or not after a certain number of weeks. In other words, do your homework! Since it’s a short-term situation, you increase the odds of getting a yes, so take a risk and ask. Mmm, enjoy those s’mores.
