Question for Federal Government Employees

[2527]

I am a retired Air Force O-5 and GS-12 contracting officer in GSA (federal government), and I am 50 years old.  By the standards of this website, I don't need my job, but I want to keep it for several reasons. 

I already get every other Friday off due to a compressed work schedule, and I really like that.

Sometimes I daydream about reducing my hours by 10% and taking a 10% pay cut, or taking some leave without pay.

Does anybody know if this is possible, and whether it would be looked at in an accepting non-negative way by management and HR?

Honestly, I would like to work shorter hours and work til I am 70, I think. 

[GoldenStache]

Most jobs do not allow the reduced time, but you can request LWOP.  I did have a coworker claim that he was stressed so took a 6 month sabbatical.  It is looked at in a negative way (as it should be).  You were hired to do the job, if you don't want to do it full time, they will not be able to fill your spot for the 10% or xxx% so everyone else has to pick up the slack(or in reality not pick up the slack but they think they are).   

You are getting 16hrs of leave per month… That is enough to take every friday off (one AWS and one leave day) and one sick day per month. 

Why work until 70 part time when you can work until 60 and retire (again)?

[Can't Wait]

There is a re-employed annuitant in my office that only works 20 hours a week. Your director can pretty much make anything happen for you though. As long as you are on good terms..

[horsepoor]

We also have a retired annuitant doing 20 hour a week assignment, but it is only for one year.  I think we also have someone who stepped down to half time, but I'm not sure how she managed it, or if it's a temporary thing because she has an infant.  I work for DOI, and expect that the possibilities would differ by employer, if not legally, then just based upon agency culture and your particular supervisor/HR department, and how much they need you full-time.

I think that in the future there might be some possibilities for phased retirement or other part-time opportunities though, so I'm setting myself up to take advantage of that if it should become more available.

[DoubleDown]

Most jobs do not allow the reduced time, but you can request LWOP.  I did have a coworker claim that he was stressed so took a 6 month sabbatical.  It is looked at in a negative way (as it should be).  You were hired to do the job, if you don't want to do it full time, they will not be able to fill your spot for the 10% or xxx% so everyone else has to pick up the slack(or in reality not pick up the slack but they think they are).   

(My emphasis)

Huh?? Why is this negative? A guy is stressed and needs time off, and rather than just show up and be ineffective on the job and collect a paycheck, he goes on leave without pay -- and that is viewed negatively? Or a woman on extended maternity leave? Or someone grieving a death or caring for an ill family member? Being called up on reserve duty? Taking some time to do volunteer work in the community? These are the reasons documented as the typical reasons for which LWOP is granted; I simply cannot fathom harboring animosity for anyone taking time off for these.

At my agency, neither part time jobs nor LWOP are viewed negatively in the least. And, expressing any negativity (particularly in promotion considerations) would justifiably be grounds for pretty severe disciplinary action. No employee is to have any negative repercussions from taking authorized time off, such as comments made at work like "You know, Mary was out for 9 months on maternity leave, so she hasn't accomplished as much as Jill."

OP, you generally have to have a reason for LWOP that goes beyond "I'd like to take some extended time off." You can check your agency's regulations for the criteria on which it is granted. Your agency also likely has part time jobs, or you can request having yours converted to a part time position. There are some budgetary considerations with part time jobs, so they can be hard to come by, but you can ask around and look for other part-timers at your work for some guidance.