Semi-retirement

skibadee

I wish to become semi-retired, does anyone know of a letter template or how to word a letter stating this to my employer please.

Savvy_Sue

I don't know if it makes a difference, but how old are you?

Presumably what you really want is to reduce your hours, which your employer may or may not feel able to agree to. What's your plan for getting the job done when you're not there? Worth giving some thought to that before you ask.

skibadee

I am in my 50's.

My position is as part of a team of nursery nurses, there are other staff who would be able to gain extra hours by me reducing, I have on-going medical conditions and feel that my health would benefit, which my GP also agrees with.

Savvy_Sue

OK, do you have an HR dept, or just a boss / owner / manager? Any flexible working policies?

chesky

If you're part of a final salary scheme, be very careful before reducing your hours. Many of these schemes work on an average of the last three years' salary, so after working a 37 hour week for twenty years or so, you don't want it worked out on a salary of 15 hours per week.

Biggles

chesky wrote: »

If you're part of a final salary scheme, be very careful before reducing your hours. Many of these schemes work on an average of the last three years' salary, so after working a 37 hour week for twenty years or so, you don't want it worked out on a salary of 15 hours per week.

They are worked out pro-rata, so you would only lose out if you worked on a lower rate of pay, not for reducing your hours.

skibadee

No HR dept., small day nursery (one of 2 Manager owns ), no final salary scheme.

sleepless_saver

skibadee wrote: »

I wish to become semi-retired, does anyone know of a letter template or how to word a letter stating this to my employer please.

You are asking to reduce your hours, and your employer does not have to agree to this. So when you write the letter, see it from the employer's point of view. Explain how your reduction in working hours would work for them, and how any problems could be dealt with, rather than just saying that you want to do it. For example if you are prepared to be flexible in the days or hours that you work, make that clear.

If you want to reduce your hours so you can care for someone else, you have additional rights. This pdf Unison guide to flexible working is a bit long, but well worth a look for the kinds of things you should consider.

Personally I'd word it as a request to reduce my hours rather than a request for semi-retirement.

Savvy_Sue

I agree with sleepless - and perhaps before writing, ask to talk to the manager(s) to see if they would be receptive to a reduction in hours?

Also that flexibility thing could be quite useful, if you feel able to offer it.

Is there any element of a disability in your health conditions? If so, then again your 'rights' are slightly strengthened, in that your employer has to consider whether they can make 'reasonable adjustments'. Obviously that's not always possible - and in a nursery situation there may not be many, eg you probably can't have a member of staff who can't pick up any of the children, but you MIGHT be able to move them to a baby room rather than have them working with the 2 and 3 year olds if they can pick up babies but not toddlers, IYSWIM.

But do think about what you're asking for, before you ask for it, because once you've got the change you may not get another.

Also stress what you're offering: years of experience, good qualifications, love of the job, willingness to support younger staff etc etc etc.

Biggles

Yes, with a small organisation, why would you not talk about your suggestion and see what you mutual agreement you might come up with?

chesky

I would have thought an informal conversation would be much better than writing a letter. You'll be able to gauge how the suggestion is going down with your employer as you discuss it - it's also probably a good idea to say you're just thinking about the possibility, nothing too definite.