The $100 MBA Show MBA2681 Q&A Wednesday: How Do I Ask an Employee to go from Full-time to Part-time Hours?
10 snips
Sep 24, 2025 Navigating the tricky conversation of reducing an employee's hours can be daunting. Key strategies include clarifying your reasons and communicating with empathy. Offering added benefits or flexibility makes part-time appealing. It's crucial to hold the conversation face-to-face, allowing the employee space to process the change. Be prepared for pushback, including a potential 'no.' Document the changes officially to ensure clarity. Omar shares his own success in this context, highlighting the unexpected positives that can emerge.
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Be Clear On Your Why
- Get crystal clear about why you need to reduce hours before speaking with the employee.
- Confidence in your reason prevents the conversation from feeling shaky or unconvincing.
Offer A Compelling Upside
- Decide what you can offer the employee in exchange for reduced hours, such as flexibility or retained benefits.
- Frame the change as what you can provide to show you still care about them.
Do The Conversation In Person
- Have the conversation face to face or via video call; do not use email or text.
- Show honesty and empathy by speaking to them in person and laying out the new arrangement clearly.