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Original poster

Which day off work? Wednesday or Friday

107 replies

Cheesypizzaa · 03/09/2023 08:55

I'm about to submit a flexible working request to reduce from full time to 4 days a week. For various reasons, I'd want the day off to be a Wednesday or Friday. Just can't decide which! Any thoughts?

OP posts:
BranchGold · 03/09/2023 09:08

Are you civil service/ local authority?

the part time people I know In those places have a bit of a nightmare with the bank holidays, particularly the ones who have Monday as a day off. I’ve no idea of the intricacies, but they basically have to ‘work back’ to pay for a bank holiday, so I’d definitely look into that as there’s at least one Friday bank holiday a year.

Papillon23 · 03/09/2023 09:08

Whereas I like having Fridays off because they ARE more chill - so my inbox hasn't grown as much by the time I get in on Monday and I'm not dreading everything that has stacked up in my absence.

Original poster
Cheesypizzaa · 03/09/2023 09:08

90yomakeuproom · 03/09/2023 09:07

Are you allowed to specify which day? Just out of interest because at my work if anyone requested flexible working or to reduce hours the management see which day off fits best. I was given a Monday and actually loved it.

Possibly not! I'm not sure. But I guess I can put forward my preference?

OP posts:

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FabulouslyFab · 03/09/2023 09:08

I work four days and have Wednesday as my day off. It’s always worked well for me. I can do those jobs midweek that I don’t want to waste my weekend on. I can move it to suit - next week I’m off on the Tuesday but then I have to work three days in a row - aargh!! 😂

fgsstopbs · 03/09/2023 09:09

I have Fridays off and I love it.

ElleDeeCB · 03/09/2023 09:09

If you wfh on a Friday anyway then take the Weds (or Mon if possible). It would be a shame to lose your wfh day.

BranchGold · 03/09/2023 09:10

The fact you work from home on Fridays would definitely sway me to the Wednesday, I think you’d feel the benefit more rather than a day that gets absorbed in to the weekend.

Is there any question mark though of you losing a working from home day when you reduce your hours?

BCBird · 03/09/2023 09:10

It depends on why u r doing it and the nature of your job I would say. The temptation for most people would be a Fri. However u need to think, would it be more beneficial for u to do tei days then rest then do another two days. I had Tues off last year and found it ok. Would have preferred Wed though.

MoorlandWanderer · 03/09/2023 09:11

Weds is a no brainer. You already have an easier day on a Friday so take that midweek break, I say.

Figgygal · 03/09/2023 09:12

Friday is great
I've been pt for 11 years now and now the kids are both I'm school If I need flexibility I just work it back on the Friday
Extended weekend, helps with school holidays. Love it

thatone · 03/09/2023 09:13

I know it's not one of your choices but I would take Thursday off - so in your case I would go for Wednesday. I can see the appeal of taking Friday off but I would rather work then and have everything organised for Monday.

MerryMarigold · 03/09/2023 09:13

I have Thursday off. I actually love it as I'm not exhausted on Friday now and it's easy to go in when you only have 1 day before the weekend (so it's not like a Monday!). I feel like I can enjoy my job more with that midweek rest. Wednesday is horrible for many people but I'm looking forward to my day off the next day! And then Friday is great as everyone is in a good mood.

Sensoria · 03/09/2023 09:14

I have Fridays and it’s lovely having a look weekend.

I have a couple of friends who have Wednesdays off and they hate it, because they often work late on a Tuesday to make sure things carry on running on a Wednesday as clients are less understanding of a midweek day off and then they have a lot to come back to on the Thursday.

Original poster
Cheesypizzaa · 03/09/2023 09:15

So at the moment I do 2/3 days in the office.

If I drop a day I imagine I'd need to do 2 days a week in the office. So tue and wed or thur (if friday is my non working day) or tue and thur (if wed is my non working day).

OP posts:
jallopeno · 03/09/2023 09:15

Wednesdays

treacledan71 · 03/09/2023 09:16

I have done both. Wednesday was nice as broke up the week but Friday was good as got all jobs done for the weekend. Monday was good as well as all jobs done the weekend and cld chill/socialise a bit more when kids at school.

BareBelliedSneetch · 03/09/2023 09:17

I don’t work on Wednesdays and love it. Like a mini weekend in the middle of the week.

work is super-flexible though, and if I need to move my non-working day around I can. For a long weekend I moved the first weeks day to Friday, the second weeks day to Monday and had a long weekend with no leave. As far as meetings etc we just treated it like We would if I’d taken A/L but didn’t need to actually take any.

Original poster
Cheesypizzaa · 03/09/2023 09:17

For childcare reasons I can't have a Monday off (it's the one day a week we get family help and don't have to pay nursery fees)

OP posts:
43ontherocksporfavor · 03/09/2023 09:18

OP I think this thread demonstrates that there are pros and cons to any day so it’s going to be good whatever. Go with your gut.

OneFrenchEgg · 03/09/2023 09:18

I have Wednesdays off and love it. Everyone else is in work mode so I can easily arrange school meetings, trades etc and I love only having to think for two days before a break. House is tidier as I do two mini cleans rather than one on Friday.

imnotthatkindofmum · 03/09/2023 09:19

I currently have Mondays off. It wasn't my ideal but I actually love it! Reduces the Sunday scarier and gives me a chance to prepare for my work week in a quiet house after the weekend. Im a teacher with 3 kids so suits me well. Although I do often end up working in busy times but that's the nature of teaching. I don't often work at the weekend.

The downsides are my husband will rebook eye appointments that I have to drive him too on my day off just because I'm there. So annoying. Fridays would be better in that respect.

I've also had Wednesdays off in the past which was great as mid week can be chaotic so a bit of calm in the midst of it is great! Usually end up cleaning/tidying if it's Friday or mid week. That's another reason I like Mondays

If we do go away for the weekend it's not so bad because I can finish at 3 if I don't work after school so catch up on Monday and do the washing mountain!

MegBusset · 03/09/2023 09:21

Following with interest as I might have this option only I have to choose between a Monday and Wednesday off in my new role.

i get that Mondays are more flexible for BH leave, and I do like a long weekend. But I’m worried about feeling like I start the week behind everyone else and might always feel like I’m playing catch up.

Velvian · 03/09/2023 09:21

Wednesday, no question, for me!
A nice mid week break, catch up with washing, breathe.

Also Friday is my absolute favourite day to work, loads of people take the day off so it's quiet and you can get on. Everyone that is working is in a good mood, as it's Friday!

Original poster
Cheesypizzaa · 03/09/2023 09:24

Thanks for all the thoughts! I agree there are benefits to both. No idea if work will even agree to the request, let alone let me pick the day, but I'm being optimistic! 😃

OP posts:
DutchCowgirl · 03/09/2023 09:28

I have the friday and my DH has the wednesday. I really love to have 4 continuous days working, i doubt i can het my mind of work when i would have 1 day off in the middle. Wednesday at home is somehow also more busy then a friday. Dentist appointments, sports, school activities somehow are never on a friday.

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