Afraid I have to be a realist here, but the corporate world usually takes the path of least resistence with workforce - - and certainly can now with unemployment as high as it is.

Manager's aren't going to upset the office (productivity) to accomodate a part time newbie when the full time, trained and productive folks are getting riled about it. (Ironically, temperatures in office are the foremost topic of contention in my experience.)

No, it may not be fair - - but it is what it is. If you can not find a way to make it work, it may be this is not the right part time job for you..because the chances of you getting them to change are quite small.

Sorry 'bout that,
Sue