Please help! I am so upset and need advice quick!

Ladies, I don't know whether to be upset, angry, or what. Some of you may remember I was trying to make a decision of whether or not to quit my job and go back to school full-time (I go to school where I currently work). I got a lot of great encouragement from you all and was going to go for it, but then stepped back and re-thought our financial situation. We can afford for me to go back full-time for a year, but I then got to thinking about how we might not be able to afford that next, bigger house as soon as we want, etc., etc, so we came up with an alternative.

I drew up a proposal to reduce my work hours (thus, a pay cut) and after several weeks now of back and forth, it was FINALLY approved. Great, right? WRONG! They did not approve a cut in ANY of my responsibilities to go along with the reduced hours!! As it is, I work way more than expected (and I'm in education where people leave at 5 pm, not investment banking where it's expected you stay til 10 pm and later) and wanted to cut responsibilities as is. But now they've totally pulled the rug out from under me...essentially, they've said, 'ok, we'll pay you less for fewer hours but you have to do the same amount of work.' How is this fair??

And, more importantly, what do I do??? Should I just give my two weeks and go back to school full-time??? Any advice is appreciated.

Ouch, that doesn't sound fare at all.

I think you may need to get back to the negotiating table before giving the 2 weeks. Perhaps do another draft, where you indicate % of work responsibilites that you won't do? Or list specific tasks?

Wow, that stinks!

Honestly, I think education is the most important gift you can give yourself. Is your program a one-year program? If so, I would go back to school if you think it will:

1. enable you to have a new career with decent pay

2. bring you sanity

But don't give notice today - sleep on it. Don't make any major decisions when you are upset.

funny you should mention that...I WAS approved to have a work study for the fall, but NO ONE has applied! plus, there is a lot of proprietary stuff that a work study couldn't do that our Dean wants ME to do personally. so, a work study could help a little (IF I were to get one) but not enough to get by...

Wow - that's hard.

I can see from their point of view they are not going to find someone part-time to do extra responsibilites. BUT if you are doing the exact same job - your pay shouldn't be cut.

And, I hate to say this, I think this looks like they would rather not make this arrangement at all. They basically put you up against a wall in a rather ridiculous situation and they know it.

I would take a walk around the block, talk with FH about your personal options and then your bosses and see what can be done.

Good luck

is this a masters program?

if it is (about 36 credits) you could do it in a year...with maybe a summer (12-12-12)...I did 9 credits working full time...its totally possible...

My intial reaction is that your company needs someone to do your job- they cannot just expect other people to pick up your reduced tasks. So I can understand why an employeer will not reduce your tasks. The employeer doesn't really owe you a reduced task schedule. They hired you as full-time so you need to decide if you want the job and paycheck (even if that is reduced) OR if you want to concentrate on going to school and perhaps get a night/weekend type job.
I also want to suggest that you look at the current job market. I am not sure exactly what you do , but is an advanced degree going to help you secure a better position? Are they hiring in your current field? If the answer is 'yes' to both, then I say go for it- get that degree and concentrate on school for a year.
But when you quit- make sure you thank your boss for trying to work things out but you just don't think you can maintain the same responsibilites in less hours for less pay. You don't want to burn any bridges.

I agree with Michele.
You may have to put off that house for a little while longer Alison, but you know how valuable that MBA will be. Get it done with now while you're still young and have no children. You'll be thanking yourself in the future!

Good luck!