It's Not Always About The Money

In my last post, I offered some tips on asking for a raise, but what if that's not your goal? Sure, we can all use a little extra money, but sometimes there are other, more important issues. Negotiating a change in your work schedule, work group, or even your benefits can often be as good as getting a raise. Say you're a mother who wants to be home with the kids after school but you've been assigned a late afternoon work shift. Or you'd like to switch to a 4/40 work week (4 days of 10-hour shifts vs. the standard 5-day work week). Whatever your request, if it will improve your work life, it could be worth discussing with your supervisor.

Talking with a boss or supervisor can be intimidating. Many of us have come to work sick, or missed out on an important commitment because it was easier to say "no" than to ask for time off work. Asking for bigger changes--like a new schedule--can be even harder. Here's how to face the situation without losing your cool.

State your case with logic.

Maybe you need to take a personal day. Maybe you want to work a different shift. Maybe you want to work with a different team, or in a different division? Whatever your request, make sure you have sensible reasons for asking. If you're a morning person, but are working a late shift, you might not be at your peak while on the clock. Take a look at which people are working which shifts. Is there someone in your position that you could switch shifts with? If you can go to your boss and show him or her a simple way to accommodate your request, you'll have a much better chance of success. Make it easy for them. It'll show that you've done your homework and are looking out for the company and your residents' best interests as well as your job satisfaction.

Remember: Your boss is human, too.

Don't be intimidated. Yes, your boss or HR representative is the person responsible for signing your checks, but they're also a person, too. While you want to keep your interaction professional, it's ok to imagine that you're talking with a friend rather than a corporate stranger. As long as you have a reasonable request and can back it up with facts or logic, you'll be fine.