You ask, Why? I ask, Why Not?
It’s been a hot minute, cough month since I could last write.
On Monday, I met with my Team Leader and Regional Manager, as I am now three months into my new role.
It was an opportunity for me to express my frustration with the lack of positive feedback I’ve been receiving, which has left me feeling that I’m not good at my job.
I also took the opportunity to raise my desire to reduce my days from 5 to 4.
Long story short, they thanked me for my feedback, provided some reassurance, gave me more feedback about calendar management, reminded me of the flexible working options I don’t have because I’m on probation (for 6 months) AND asked me to get the date that I’d like to start working 4 days a week.
Initially, I was going to start in January, when the next cycle at Rowing Australia commences. However, I decided I didn’t want to wait that long to feel like I had some balance in my life, so I will be working Monday to Thursday from the 4th of November.
I’ve received mixed reactions when I tell people. Friends have been supportive. The Speech Pathology Manager was full of support when I told her today, “I encourage all my staff to work a four-day work week.”
The flip side of a response has been, Why? After justifying my choice a couple of times, I’ve decided I don’t need to explain or justify myself, and instead, I will respond with, Why Not?!