What part time hours are best?

[larahdc]

Before going on maternity leave I worked full time hours, Monday-Friday 9-5. My commute is 40-60 mins depending on traffic. I am looking to go back early next year and my work are desperately trying to keep me on but I have clearly said I'd like to go part time and wfh ideally because of the commute time/cost and childcare juggle.

I'm looking at reducing to 20 hours a week, split across 4 days, 8-1 wfh. We haven't been able to get a nursery place so childcare would be split between family and due to age/mild illnesses half a day having LO is probably better than my full working day plus commute time for them.

Has anyone done this sort of work pattern? I did originally think about say two full days then a half day but I think my boss will push for me to be in the office for the full days if that's the case which just makes such a long day and I'd only have about an hour with LO before bed. Any advice or experience? This would be probably just for a year as we have our names down for a nursery we like for when LO turns 2.

I was going to say 3 (almost) full days at work, then you have 4 days at home with your little one, but, if you can't get a Nursery place or child minder, then I'd say the "best" hours, are the hours that suit the people that are going to be doing you such a massive favour.

Generally the fewer days you are at work, the better, from the pov of a parent - it's the stress of getting out of the house on time / getting out of work on time / getting all the things you need to take /send with the baby (food, nappies, change of clothes, sun cream, sun hats, drinks bottles etc etc)

If you are working half days, then would you be better working the middle part of the day (10 - 3) ? It means you miss the traffic / busy time on your commute, which presumably could bring your travel down to 30mins each way. It also means your relatives who are helping you out, get the benefit of the hour or so your little one is sleeping, as well, of course (if they are coming to you) they miss the traffic and they also are home in time to do stuff for themselves and don't have to be out of their own house so very early in the morning.

Of course, the answers will always depend on the job you do.
If you need to collaborate with others.

If you feel it is better to 'be there' more days (even if shorter days) or if that doesn't really matter in the work you do.

Oh, and, with most contracts, it is best to have Monday as your non-working day, in terms of the fact that most Bank Holidays are on Mondays and if you have Mon as a working day and can't work, you have to make up the extra hours from your AL, but if Mon isn't one of your working days, you gain hours to add to your AL.

I work 22.5h over 4 days. Two inside school hours, and two long days. Fridays off. It works for us. All I would recommend is making sure you try and factor in more transition time than you think you need. So I never start before 9.30, even though I'm almost always home from school by 9.05-9.10

I agree with @NewName24 and would try for 3 full days. The balance of 60-40 in favour of home is lovely. It was also good getting the free hours for nursery once eligible. If you need nursery later you may find it easier to get 3 full days.

4 days 8-1 will still feel like 4 days, but you’ll be being paid less hours. It’ll also be annoying once your DC switches to 1 nap a day as that’s often at lunch time meaning a 1pm pick up may not work well. That could happen anytime from now, my DS switched at 10 months. I’d go with 3 normal length days, then you could ask for 2 days wfh and 1 in the office which seems reasonable, more so then asking for completely wfh.