How do you find working 4 days? When is the best time to mention it?

[Newjobtime]

I've applied for a new job doing the same as what I do now but closer to home. Currently work 5 days but have been thinking about how nice it would be to have a day off with the baby and to do the school run once a week. Those of you who work 4 days do you like it? Does 4 days work well?

Also if I was hoping to do 4 days would it be best to ask at the interview if 4 days is possible or work full time for 6 months then put flexible working request in. I'm not sure if it will come across badly asking at interview?
I know the department and lots of people there are part time and the job can be done in 4 days really.

I work 4 days a week and have Wednesday off.
I was head hunted for this role and made it clear at the first interview that I wouldn't consider doing 5 days.

Wednesday I find is perfect, I get two days in, write hand over notes to my team detailing out what needs to be done and then just pick up bits Thursday.

Though Friday is super unproductive in my industry it's the day you get the most cultural and social bits in, and that makes a different in my role so it's actually really important that I have it in the office.

Ooh lots of replies

Sounds like 4days a week is a good balance then. If I am offered the job and they will only offer 5 days I would still take it. It's the same training programme and work I'm currently doing just a lot closer to home so even working 5 days in the new job would be better than my current job just because of the commute. But I'm definitely going to try and negotiate 4 days if in offered the role.

I feel quite awkward about asking if I'm offered the job. But so worried I'll be discounted if I mention it at interview. Argh so difficult to know what to do for the best.

Good luck to you both with your interviews!

I think the opposite from the first reply.
there is a very real danger, with 4 days, that you are just expected to do the same amount of work / take the same amount of responsibility / get through the same amount of e-mails / attend the same amount of meetings, etc etc as if you are FT, but you get paid 20% less.
I prefer 3 days and there is a real demarcation, and expectation that someone else is allocated the other 2/5 of the work. though you still get as many e-mails