I have a busy and intense job at a PR agency, where I have worked for the past five years. There is no such thing as a ‘relaxed’ day at work.
I know my boss is happy with my performance, the feedback has always been good. But this past year I really feel like asking for a pay cut in exchange for working fewer hours – my teenagers need me more.
My husband says this is career suicide and I should just ask to cut my hours and not discuss salary. What do you think?
Not mentioning salary is risky because you want to make it clear that you don’t expect yourself to do the same amount of work if you work fewer hours, Vicky Reynal responds.
Money Psychotherapist Vicky Reynal Answers: I’d like to know more about why your husband thinks it would get worse if he brought up salary.
Does he think that asking for a pay cut sends a message about a diminished commitment to the job? It is “fair” to the employer who should only pay you for the hours you work, and to you, because giving up the money relieves you of the obligation to put in as much work as you would if the job were full-time.
But it could also be that you are sending this signal when you ask to work fewer hours (and we can talk about managing this risk).
Does he think a pay cut will leave you stuck with a lower salary? This is unlikely as it is prorated to hours so if you were to return to your normal working day the salary would reflect that.
Or does your husband think it is best to give the impression that you would do the same job, but for fewer hours? Let’s assume the latter is the case.
It sounds like you’ve assessed your priorities and decided that time with your children is more important at this time in your life.
By giving up the salary that corresponds to your current working hours, you buy time for the children.
It is risky not to mention the salary, because you want to make it clear that if you work fewer hours, you cannot be expected (and you don’t want to be expected) to do the same amount of work. You told me that the work is already intense and busy enough.
There are jobs where you can do five days’ worth of tasks in four days, in which case a pay cut might not be necessary, but that doesn’t seem to be the case for you.
If you don’t mention salary, you’re giving the wrong impression. You’re asking for flexible hours (i.e., you want to schedule hours around kids, or work evenings or weekends) rather than actually reducing the amount of time you’re willing to work.
Your salary should reflect that.
It is ‘fair’ to the employer who only pays you for the hours you work, and to you, because not receiving the money relieves you of the obligation to put in as much work as you would if the job were full-time.
In terms of career impact, there are some inherent risks to your choice. For example, if they are looking for someone to promote, it would be understandable if your boss would be more inclined to choose someone who is more available and shows that work is their top priority.
But you can also think of things that you can control and that can minimize the feared impact on your career.
You can make a conscious effort to contribute more to the work in ways other than hours (more ideas, more energy, more initiative). This shows that you are committed and that you are grateful for the flexibility the other person has to accommodate your request.
It is important to discuss the expectations of both parties during settlement negotiations. Show that you are willing to cooperate and listen to your employer’s concerns.
Money psychotherapist Vicky Reynal
If you like to please everyone, it can be hard to avoid the trap of promising to do the same amount of work, or promising more than you can actually deliver. If you end up working the same amount of hours, but for a lower salary, this can only lead to frustration.
You need to go into the conversation knowing that you may encounter resistance and that you will need to set boundaries, but at the same time, you need to be careful not to give in too much.
Think about what would happen if you didn’t say anything about your salary and your employer didn’t either. In the short term, this might feel like a win (because you could work fewer hours for the same amount of money), but you might feel pressure to do the same amount of work in less time. Plus, it would be hard to put off extra work.
If you don’t think the lower salary will put you in financial trouble, I would consider following your desire to be with your children.
When you consider how many people look back on their lives and wish they had spent more time with their families and less time at work, you have to ask yourself: At this point in your life, do you want to prioritize money and career advancement over time with your children?
Got a question for Vicky Reynal? Email vicky.reynal@dailymail.co.uk.
Vicky’s book Money On Your Mind: The Psychology Behind Your Financial Habits, from Bonnier Books, £16.99 is available now.
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