Work fewer hours for less $$? First-year analyst at BB

Why doesn't anyone who works too much ask to have their comp lowered in exchange for fewer hours?

I started work as a first-year analyst at an NYC BB (GS/MS/JPM) in 2020. I knew what I was signing up for, but I am not a fan of the hours and work/life balance. 

I am interested in asking my manager if I could work fewer hours in exchange for less pay. I am thinking of either asking for all weekends off or capping hours at something like 60 hours/week in return for a pro-rated all-in compensation. 

For example:

  • Current hours/week: ~85
  • Current all-in comp: ~140k 
  • Future hours/week ~60 (~30% reduction)
  • Future all-in comp: ~98k (~30% reduction)

(Hours and comp is made up for the sake of the example - I haven't received my bonus yet) 

Is this a crazy idea? Has anyone heard of any precedent for this type of negotiation?

My friends in S&T this year received anywhere from 45 to 65k for their 1.5 year bonuses by working 55 hours/week so if I'm proposing 60 hours/week for 98k all-in I should probably just move...

Should hours and comp be reduced 1:1 or at a different ratio?

I am at a bank that did not increase base salary after the heroism of the GS13. 

I haven't been able to find a discussion about this kind of negotiation and am curious about reactions. 

Thank you! 

4 Comments
 

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