Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

[Atomic Rice Eater ?]

I am not (yet) in massage school, but I do have the school I want to go to picked out - and as long as we can get the application/supplies money together, I hope to start this year.

My question is: has anyone had to experience asking their employer for flexibility to attend massage school? How did you go about asking, and what was their response?

I work for a college. My hours are 8am-6pm, Monday through Thursday. The class schedule I would be taking is 6pm-10pm Thursday and Friday evening, and all day Saturday. The school is literally right down the road from where I work, but their policy is a 10 minute grace period before being charge $10 and having to makeup the entire class. You can't be late more than 10 times during the program. Now, taking into account time to change into scrubs and leave work, drive down the street, make a u-turn under the freeway and drive up to the school parking lot, "sign-in" with an ID card at the school and walk upstairs to the classroom... I couldn't do all that in 10 minutes. But, I could definitely do it if I had permission to leave work at 5:45 on Thursdays (I would come in at 7:45am to make up for the time). I really don't see that leaving work 15 minutes early, one day a week, would hurt my job at all - it would not result in incomplete projects, etc. But there is a definite "you belong to us" mentality here, where other than the condensed workweek there is no real flexibility (no telecommuting, etc) and overtime is pretty much expected (I am lucky enough to have non-exempt hourly status right now, although they are trying to switch me to salary). The only thing I know for sure it would impact is a yearly evening event held by my department, that would take place on a Thursday evening April 2012. I would either have to miss school that night, or get permission to be absent at the event (not likely).
It is clearly stated in the employee handbook that second jobs and college or continuing education classes are allowed, but that this job is to be the first priority and that if the other job/class negatively impacts job performance, it may result in termination. The exact working is as follows:

If it is determined that an employee’s outside work conflicts or interferes with performance, safety or the ability to meet the requirements of [college name] as they are modified from time to time, the employee may be asked to terminate the outside employment if he desires to remain with [college name].

The wording that applies to the classes is in another document that I don't have saved to my computer, but its basically the same. I am concerned that my boss will not give me permission to alter my schedule (even by 15 minutes) if he thinks that I will be leaving upon graduation. In all actuality, although my goal is to have my own business eventually, I will certainly NOT be leaving immediately upon graduation, as I need the stable income and health insurance. I know full well that I will be there for the year of school, plus probably a year or two after that, considering the economy and how long it would take to build up a steady clientèle massaging only Friday and Saturday.

The question is how to bring it up. It's a "Bible College", and as such, "ministry opportunities" are encouraged for employees (at least in theory). Truthfully, I have been thinking about getting into massage for over a year now, but when I got this job it kind of fell to the wayside. Then, I happened to read an article a couple of months ago about battered women, and how some massage therapists were volunteering their time to help them experience appropriate and healing touch. I also read something about massage therapists volunteering at crisis pregnancy centers. Also, my aunt is dying of cancer, but has found massage to help her pain immensely (obviously would need extra training for that, but it solidified the "healing the soul" aspect of massage for me). These experiences jump-started me back into the "go to massage school!" mode, as those (battered women/crisis pregnancy) are definitely something I would like to volunteer doing. I could approach this like so: "A ministry opportunity has come to my attention, but I would have to go to school for it. It would not affect my job here, except for leaving at 5:45 on Thursdays." OR I could approach it from a strictly job related view: "I would like to do clinical massage as a part-time weekend job, as well as be able to volunteer with it, but I would have to go to school for it. It would not affect my job here, except for leaving at 5:45 on Thursdays. Don't worry, I'm not planning on leaving [College name] after graduating, this would just be on the side." OR some combination of the two approaches?

I don't want to lie and say I have no intention of leaving the college ever... I definitely will at some point (not for a while though), if for no other reason than I would like to homeschool my kids when we have them someday, and working at the college would not allow for that. Having my own business would be great, and if I did have the makings of my own business available, it would probably lead to my leaving sooner than otherwise. I'm in an odd situation though where I can't ever be sure what's expected of me (my job description changes every day, and that is not an exaggeration), and I don't want to be in the middle of school and suddenly not be able to make it to class on time. I would definitely get the permission from my boss in writing, to protect myself in case that happened.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

 

[very_bored]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I am planning to go back to school, and have a very slight time conflict of 15 minutes, one day a week. I would like to have permission to come in at 7:45 on Thursday mornings and then leave at 5:45 pm. My start date will be _________.

Less explaining and less assuring will be better in the long run. Simple, short and assuming the best outcome is usually your best bet.

 

[Incarcerated Bert]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

wow, turned that mountain into a mole hill

 

[Frances]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I am planning to go back to school, and have a very slight time conflict of 15 minutes, one day a week. I would like to have permission to come in at 7:45 on Thursday mornings and then leave at 5:45 pm. My start date will be _________.

Less explaining and less assuring will be better in the long run. Simple, short and assuming the best outcome is usually your best bet.

Blue, thanks for your reply! That is certainly a succinct way of stating it, it is very helpful to have someone from outside the situation help with wording it. I'm sure it looks like I made a bigger deal of it than it should be... I am stressed about it though because I only have one chance to ask and if he says no, I can't go. But i really like the way you worded that.

 

[Free Caledonia!]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I have a tendency to think things half to death, too, I understand! :altwink:

 

[Rachel R]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I am planning to go back to school, and have a very slight time conflict of 15 minutes, one day a week. I would like to have permission to come in at 7:45 on Thursday mornings and then leave at 5:45 pm. My start date will be _________.

Less explaining and less assuring will be better in the long run. Simple, short and assuming the best outcome is usually your best bet.

Blue, thanks for your reply! That is certainly a succinct way of stating it, it is very helpful to have someone from outside the situation help with wording it. I'm sure it looks like I made a bigger deal of it than it should be... I am stressed about it though because I only have one chance to ask and if he says no, I can't go. But i really like the way you worded that.

Butterfly, I really liked Blue's response and think that it is absolutely, hands-down "the best way" to go about handling such a situation.

I do understand your hesitancy (I tend to think things half to death too). I went to massage school with a girl who was terrified that her boss would find out she was doing it. She would lose her job, no questions asked, if he ever found out (not because of time conflicts, because there weren't any, but because of that whole "you must be married to the business" mentality).

I think you ought to decide, BEFORE you bring this up to your boss, which is more important to you: massage school, or your current job, and what will you do should you be faced with the option of only having ONE. Do you have the guts/financial strength to exercise "walk-away power" if your boss does say "no"? Are you prepared to wait for massage school, realizing that (in general, for many people) the longer you wait to act on the dream, the less likely it is that you will ever do so?

 

[The Dude]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

What if you offered to come in 15 minutes, or even half an hour early? Come up with a list of all the reasons working a slightly earlier shift would be beneficial (increased productivity, chance to get things organized before the rush, whatever). I attend massage school from 6-10 pm about 50 minutes from my job, and my employer had no problem allowing me to work a 7-4 shift, especially since I gave free chair massages to all the staff for Teacher Appreciation Week! If you're a hard and honest worker, they know you aren't trying to stiff them by doing less work. Be straightforward about your hopes and dreams, but reassure them about your intention to do your best in both work AND school. Good luck!

Kat

 

[sixxy]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I think you ought to decide, BEFORE you bring this up to your boss, which is more important to you: massage school, or your current job, and what will you do should you be faced with the option of only having ONE. Do you have the guts/financial strength to exercise "walk-away power" if your boss does say "no"? Are you prepared to wait for massage school, realizing that (in general, for many people) the longer you wait to act on the dream, the less likely it is that you will ever do so?

Well that is an "easy" question to answer, because there is only one way I can answer. The current job comes first, and HAS to, because we are almost solely dependent on my income at the moment. We are praying that will change soon, but for now, I do not have the freedom to walk away if he says no.

What if you offered to come in 15 minutes, or even half an hour early? Come up with a list of all the reasons working a slightly earlier shift would be beneficial (increased productivity, chance to get things organized before the rush, whatever). I attend massage school from 6-10 pm about 50 minutes from my job, and my employer had no problem allowing me to work a 7-4 shift, especially since I gave free chair massages to all the staff for Teacher Appreciation Week! If you're a hard and honest worker, they know you aren't trying to stiff them by doing less work. Be straightforward about your hopes and dreams, but reassure them about your intention to do your best in both work AND school. Good luck!

Unfortunately, there wouldn't be much benefit to me coming much more than 15 minutes earlier than I already do. Everyone else in my department works more of a 9-7 schedule (and several stay till 8, but they are all on salary working around 50 hours a week), so my 8-6 schedule means that I'm the first one there and the first one to leave. I am a hard and honest worker, so I'll just have to hope that means something to my boss when the time comes to ask.

 

[czarina]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

Butterfly, you mentioned something earlier that made me think that you are a "believing person". I betcha, if you pray about it, and trust in the Lord, it will work out for the best (whichever way that ends up being).

 

[JAP]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

Butterfly, you mentioned something earlier that made me think that you are a "believing person". I betcha, if you pray about it, and trust in the Lord, it will work out for the best (whichever way that ends up being).

Timedess, yes I am. My husband (and my conscience) keeps reminding me exactly what you said above.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I betcha, if you pray about it, and trust in the Lord, it will work out for the best (whichever way that ends up being).

Agreed. IMO, if they are not willing to work with your different schedule for the period of time you will be attending MT school... and indeed insist you give up your dream to keep the job you have...
I am not sure you'd want to keep working for them.

Massage can be a wonderful way to make a difference in the world. One of the best massages I had was from a student who just had an incredibly loving heart. You just felt truly cherished after her massage!

I have worked places that want to be your one & only job... but in this economy it's hard to live on income from just one source. Too many people have done so and found themselves unemployed for all their loyal service over the years.

Not saying that this is the case for you GlassButrFly, but just saying that diversifying your income streams may not be a bad thing. Even an extra $200 or so from a MT income could make a big difference in your life, IMO.

I agree with the others, give it short and sweet to your management... and only when they request additional info fill in with more "reasoning" and information for their behalf. t002

 

[carogator28]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I betcha, if you pray about it, and trust in the Lord, it will work out for the best (whichever way that ends up being).

Agreed. IMO, if they are not willing to work with your different schedule for the period of time you will be attending MT school... and indeed insist you give up your dream to keep the job you have...
I am not sure you'd want to keep working for them.

Massage can be a wonderful way to make a difference in the world. One of the best massages I had was from a student who just had an incredibly loving heart. You just felt truly cherished after her massage!

I have worked places that want to be your one & only job... but in this economy it's hard to live on income from just one source. Too many people have done so and found themselves unemployed for all their loyal service over the years.

Not saying that this is the case for you GlassButrFly, but just saying that diversifying your income streams may not be a bad thing. Even an extra $200 or so from a MT income could make a big difference in your life, IMO.

I agree with the others, give it short and sweet to your management... and only when they request additional info fill in with more "reasoning" and information for their behalf. t002

The job itself is something I'm good at, but the department I'm in is not a good fit for my personality. So I already know that I will be looking for another job at some point, but am aware of the fact that it may be a few years before I am able to do so. If massage gives me the opportunity to break out a little sooner, or even to be able to just relax by doing something I enjoy and helping people through massaging part time, it will be worth it.

I'm not sure yet when I will be asking him. The class starts in June, and enrollment starts a month prior, so sometime before May. I have some other things to work out first. But I will definitely write back and let y'all know how it goes when I ask. Thanks everyone for the help and encouragement!

 

[H0oLiGaN]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

Please do let us know what happens and how you decide to proceed, Butterfly. Thank you for the opportunity to help you think this through!

 

[Mrsjvb]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I may have missed it, but have you had an opportunity to discuss the situation with the director of the school in real deatail? Maybe they would be willing to give you a grace period (which you would probably rarely need), in order to keep from loosing you as a student? It's worth a shot as a back up plan.

I hope you'll let us know what happens when you find out.

 

[xSoni]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

I may have missed it, but have you had an opportunity to discuss the situation with the director of the school in real deatail? Maybe they would be willing to give you a grace period (which you would probably rarely need), in order to keep from loosing you as a student? It's worth a shot as a back up plan.

I hope you'll let us know what happens when you find out.

I did ask the director about that when I took the tour, but she said the 10 minute late policy was strict because Texas state law defines the "class hour" as 50 minutes, and by law I would have to be present for at least 50 minutes of the class.

Unfortunately, some car repair issues have come up recently (these things always happen at terrible times) and I don't think we'll be able to afford the initial application/books/etc fees for the class this year. It's a rather upsetting turn of events, but I guess I'll wait till next year... I sincerely hope by then we'll be in a better financial position, and it'll give me a chance to see what this economy is going to do. Thank you everyone for your suggestions and encouragement! I will update if and when I am able to enroll in school next year. If this is what I'm supposed to be doing, it will work out eventually.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

We hope you will continue to hang around on the forums, and pick up what you can, until your opportunity comes around again. *hug*

 

[wuttup]

Approaching (office job) employer about Massage School

We hope you will continue to hang around on the forums, and pick up what you can, until your opportunity comes around again. *hug*

:iagree: