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Original poster

If you could choose any one weekday off, which would it be?

96 replies

FlyingSoap · 02/04/2024 15:49

Trying to minimise days of childcare.
DH works shifts so usually has one weekday off which he can do a flexi working request for, and realistically finances will only allow me to go to 0.8, lowest, after maternity leave

Which weekday would you take off?

I think in the ideal I’d like Mondays off but also have to bear in mind bank holidays…

Re bank holidays my employer stipulates that if you work part time and do not normally work on that day you are not entitled to pay, nor are you entitled to a day off in lieu.

This means I should work Mondays, doesn’t it?

Any help appreciated, which day have you got off and why?

OP posts:
MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 02/04/2024 15:52

I'd take the Monday. Fridays are already lovely and quiet because so many other colleagues don't work on a Friday. So having the Monday off would be a lovely bookend for the week.

Ilikewinter · 02/04/2024 15:52

Humm I think your employer is wrong!. In my place if Monday is a non working day you most definately get pro-rata time back, otherwise you are at a disadvantage over other employees. But, if this is going to cause a fuss then Id pick Friday instead!

MaryFuckingFerguson · 02/04/2024 15:55

When I worked part time (Thurs and Friday), I was compensated in time for every bank holiday that fell on my NWDs (so
lots of Mondays). I think your employer is incorrect here.

Original poster
FlyingSoap · 02/04/2024 15:56

MaryFuckingFerguson · 02/04/2024 15:55

When I worked part time (Thurs and Friday), I was compensated in time for every bank holiday that fell on my NWDs (so
lots of Mondays). I think your employer is incorrect here.

I think different employers can do as they like tbh. I am just trying to make sense of it- if it’s true, I am at a disadvantage if I take Monday off here aren’t I?

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 02/04/2024 15:57

I agree that your employer is wrong about how they do Mondays. That would be discrimination against part time workers, which is illegal.

You should get proportionally the same amount of time off as full time workers on an annual basis, ie if you work 4 full days per week that would be 80% of the full time allowance and 6.4 days for the 8 bank holidays.

Karmaisaguyonthechiefs · 02/04/2024 15:57

I had Wednesdays because it meant I never worked more than 2 days in a row. Loved it

Original poster
FlyingSoap · 02/04/2024 15:57

Karmaisaguyonthechiefs · 02/04/2024 15:57

I had Wednesdays because it meant I never worked more than 2 days in a row. Loved it

Oooh! Never thought of this.

OP posts:
pinkmushroom5 · 02/04/2024 15:59

Karmaisaguyonthechiefs · 02/04/2024 15:57

I had Wednesdays because it meant I never worked more than 2 days in a row. Loved it

I used to have Wednesdays for this reason too and liked it.

Depends on what you want to do with your time off as well and whether a 3 days off/ 4 days on pattern works better for your life.

In that scenario I'd take Monday.

HippeePrincess · 02/04/2024 16:00

Pretty sure your employer can’t just do what they like re bank holidays!

My dp takes a Monday off so we aren’t paying the nursery for childcare when they aren’t even open!

i like a Wednesday off as I never work more than 2 days in a row so it helps me keep on top of things midweek.

NuffSaidSam · 02/04/2024 16:01

I'd take Friday. You get the same benefit of a three day weekend, but without losing your bank holidays. It's also nice to have a day between the end of the working week and the weekend to get stuff done so you can actually enjoy your weekend.

LenaLamont · 02/04/2024 16:04

Your employer is talking out of his backside. Statutory holiday rules mean part time staff can't be penalised in this way, they get a proportionate amount of time off including Bank Holidays.

Wednesday was always my preferred day off. weeking for family stuff, 2 days of work, a day of household/personal/chores stuff, 2 days of work, then back to family wekend again. Perfect.

autumn1610 · 02/04/2024 16:05

What’s typical your busiest day? I would take Fridays as it is genuinely my quietest day. Mondays and Wednesdays are my busiest. With your employer staying about bank hols I wouldn’t take Monday

grannycake · 02/04/2024 16:06

Karmaisaguyonthechiefs · 02/04/2024 15:57

I had Wednesdays because it meant I never worked more than 2 days in a row. Loved it

I did this and I loved it

periwinklecar · 02/04/2024 16:08

I used to do Wednesdays too, and loved it. Also it really worked for my child, as two days of nursery in a row was intense enough for them

trousersearch · 02/04/2024 16:10

I'm about to go back and using accrued leave to not work Mondays. I know this isn't the same as PT as I'm a FT employee but I chose Monday due to bank holidays meaning my accrued leave goes a bit further. I'm technically still doing a FT role and I like Fridays being quiet to have a WFH day, and a day to properly catch up on work with less colleague distractions and other meetings etc.
sharing just in case using accrued leave was an option

Creamcoconut · 02/04/2024 16:11

over the years had I’ve tried different days. Wednesday is my favourite and most helpful in terms of recovery and pace

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 02/04/2024 16:11

Mondays are good as you don't have to take Bank Holidays out of your holiday entitlement. And yes, Bank Holidays are pro-rated to your part time hours.

billyt · 02/04/2024 16:13

I went to a four day week back in January. I chose to have Fridays off.

Works great for me

Countrydiary · 02/04/2024 16:13

I have Monday off and I think be aware that everyone else is already up to speed with emails etc when you’re coming in on a Tuesday. Sometimes I’m straight into meetings where things are referred to and I haven’t been able to to catch up yet. Today was lovely as I didn’t feel on the back foot as everyone had been off yesterday as well!

CurbsideProphet · 02/04/2024 16:17

I'm off in the middle of the week so I only work 2 days in a row. I couldn't have a Monday or Friday off because of the impact it would have on colleagues/ the service, but this works for me.

MillshakePickle · 02/04/2024 16:17

Wednesday off
Saves the bank holiday entitlement. Weds are usually flat days and most action tends to happen Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

I will be returning form mat leave and doing Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Will only ever work two days in a row and will have two days off (and no nursery costs for those days) mid week and every Sunday.

Still can't believe my company went for it. Over the moon!

everythinglooksbetterpaintedblack · 02/04/2024 16:18

I had Wednesday.
Loved never working more than 2 days

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 02/04/2024 16:19

I have a Wednesday off. I WFH on a Monday, in Tuesday, off Wednesday, in Thursday and Friday is an early finish at my place anyway.

dementedpixie · 02/04/2024 16:19

Your employer is wrong and you can't be penalised for working part time.
If you work â…˜ of full time then you're entitled to â…˜ of the holidays including â…˜ of the bank holidays .

Or to put it another way: you'd be entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks worth of holidays by law.

  • If you work 4 days then that's 22.4 days holiday.
  • If full time workers get 28 days then â…˜ of that also equals 22.4 days holiday.
mrsbirdie · 02/04/2024 16:22

I don’t work Mondays (but I do get a pro rata amount of that time back) and I love it. We get a slightly quieter day together after the busyness of the weekend but also gives me a bit of a chance to get my ducks in a row for the rest of the week.

If you might want to do any activities could be worth keeping in mind the days they’re on - happens to be a really lovely playgroup near us on a Monday which I’m glad we can attend.