They're probably just waiting for you to throw in the towel & RETIRE. In this economy, I would not rock the boat - if you keep bugging her about it she may decide to find someone who can maintain the same schedule you have now. Even if you can get all your work done in 4 days, it isn't all about YOU - it's about supporting your boss, who would probably like you to BE THERE to field calls etc. on that 5th day. You might have better luck getting five shorter workdays than 4 longer ones.

I would ask him or her for a private meeting, and then discuss the situation. Mention that you have proposed this twice, and would simply like a yes or a no. Even if it is a "no", then you have closure and don't have it hanging over your head.

One additional argument you can use, if you haven't already, is that it will save the company money if they only have to pay someone for 32 hours work instead of 40 hours work. (Unless, of course, you were wanting the same total pay each week. I don't know a single manager who would approve someone getting the same pay for 20% fewer hours worked.)

Another point is to ask if it can be tested on a 90-day trail basis. If your manager determines after the 90 days that it is not working out, then you would agree to go back to the normal schedule. This might be a good compromise, you are getting what you want, and he or she has the flexibility available to cancel it and say it is not working.

Sometimes employees may disregard that there are to a certain extent tasks that occur on a daily basis, like sudden responibility where if you are not there to handle it, who gets it? That is not fair. Or if you answer the phone, who answers it on Fridays. Also, if there are other people within your department and they work 5 days per week and see you only working 4 and then having a long weekend, then decide to all request Friday off, what does the company say? Only certain people can and not you. Sometimes at my workplace it has been permitted but only when others or moral is not going to be affected. And when it is the company may want to say yes and that is why there is a delay to their response but in the best interest of the company and others they have to say no. The choice is theirs and you will have to stay or find a job with the hours you are looking for. I also disagree with approaching it with the whole court response because most companies are employee at will and you would just find yourself out of a job, if the job has been requiring you to work 5 then they have every right to keep saying it is required. Good Luck though, I don't know what your role at that company encompasses and that makes it hard to give advise, but try to see both sides while you wait for an answer.

you're absolute correct, that idea would have to be presented to upper management.

I, too, reduced my hours, to 35 per week. Most companies still provide benefits for 30+ hours per week. I work 7 hours per day, which gives my Exec. peace of mind if something comes up. Additionally, he is saving 5 hrs per week for 52 weeks a year which is great for the budget. It's a win-win for all.

Elaine, here is how you approach this problem. You tell your supervisor that you would like to work 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday through Wednesday and on Thursday you work 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and you are off on Friday. Those hours total 35 hours per week. Of course you could change up your hours as long as they total 35. Most employers are willing to work with you as long as your work gets done. Let me know how it goes for you.

I work for a company that allows employees to work flex time. In my case, I work 45 hours one week and the next week I work 35 hours with Friday off. This works out well for me and I to am 65 years old. As long as our work schedule totals 80 hours for a two week period, our supervisors/managers do not have a problem with us working an alternative work schedule. Having one week where you only work 35 hours is better than not having a job at all so I would recommend that you present this option to your boss. They would probably be more agreeable to you working only one week of 35 hours than both weeks in any given pay period. Good luck but walk softly are you may not get the results you want.