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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think spreading 3 days work across 5 days is a mugs game

50 replies

breathing · 14/02/2011 19:51

At the moment I work 3 days a week...3 full days with 2 dfays to "myself" (cleaning and keeping up with the house stuff). I am considering working my hours across the 5 days.

Given the choice, would you spread hours across the 5 days so you worked 9.30-2.30 each day or keep it to three full days with 2 days "off"?

Im thinking working across the 5 days would give an illusion that I work full time and people would expect more..

Id also have to go to work every day AIBU thinking that working part time across the 5 days be ripping myself off big time?

OP posts:
Violethill · 14/02/2011 19:53

I think it would be a mugs game.

If you're on a part time income, you may as well at least have the advantages of having some time off.
I think spread over 5 days you'd really feel like you were working full time for part time pay!

BertieBasset · 14/02/2011 19:54

I was also thinking about this and am sticking with 3 days on the basis I will never get away at 2.30 each day. So I would rather do 3 full days myself.

onceamai · 14/02/2011 19:55

It's a mugs game until the dc start school, at which time it saves a huge amount on childcare.

hairylights · 14/02/2011 19:55

I'd keep it to three full days.

sayjay · 14/02/2011 19:55

YANBU! I would definitely, definitely keep it as 3 full days.

What possible advantage is it the other way around?

TheseThingsAreGoodThings · 14/02/2011 19:56

It depends on the nature of your work. Can you meet all expectations of your job in 3 full days or are people kept waiting until your next day in?

If the former - then definately 3 full days are best. If the later - then spread across 5 days.

Original poster
breathing · 14/02/2011 19:56

Childcare hasnt been huge....with 3 after school days its only been £36 a week. (currently looking for a new cm)

OP posts:
PukeyMummy · 14/02/2011 19:58

Be strict, or before you know it people will be expecting more.

I used to work 3 days a week and the only concession I would make was to switch my working days to attend important meetings if I could arrange childcare. But I only worked 3 days a week.

If you must keep in touch on your off-days, would a Blackberry help? I had one and it meant I could keep on top of things and not come back to a mountain each week.

Arion · 14/02/2011 19:58

You'd have to be very disciplined to get out at 2.30, very easy to do just one more thing or for someone to ask for something that's really urgent. My colleague is supposed to work a half day (leaving at about 2pm) and most weeks is still there gone 3pm.

scaryteacher · 14/02/2011 19:58

I did 3 full days at work ad had 2 off when ds was little, Once he was at school 5 days a week, I did 0930-1430 and so avoided fees for pre and after school care. I had to take him into school anyway, so I felt I might as well go on to work and avoid the 30 minute drive home. Saved on petrol too!

AnnoyingOrange · 14/02/2011 19:59

short days are a PITA inthe holidays - if you need childcare you usually have to pay for full days

MCos · 14/02/2011 20:00

Depends on what you are trying to achieve.
I work 8:45-2:15. I get to pick up kids from school, get them to their hobbies, supervise homework, etc. When they were younger it suited me better to work 3 days and have 2 off.
I do find it is easier to schedule meetings and keep in touch with things at work when I spread work across the 5 days.

Original poster
breathing · 14/02/2011 20:00

I wasnt considering it because of work but as an option to avoid childcare (if needs be)

OP posts:
Original poster
breathing · 14/02/2011 20:01

Oh good point about school holidays!

OP posts:
fluffles · 14/02/2011 20:02

i would find it far easier to keep my inbox and less stressful to be in every day, keeping things ticking along... not having to always catch up on what's going on.

but it depends really on your homelife, commute and childcare.. wouldn't be worth it if you have a commute (i cycle 15mins each way).

LindyHemming · 14/02/2011 20:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PlanetEarth · 14/02/2011 20:03

Depends on the age of your kids. At nursery, 3 full days is easier, when they're at school, 5 part-days works better. (Except in the holidays, when 3 full days makes childcare easier. Aarrgh!)

Original poster
breathing · 14/02/2011 20:04

It is a 45-1hr commute euphemia

OP posts:
sayjay · 14/02/2011 20:06

Ah, I see :)

Agree that you'll find it difficult to get away on time and end up doing unpaid work.

How old are DC?

Original poster
breathing · 14/02/2011 20:09

One child in year 1.

Looks like I would be better finding a cm. I dont think its going to work across 5 days

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 14/02/2011 20:11

Can you do 3 days across 4 days? I did 2.5 days across 3 days and getting back at 4pm was sooo much better than 5.30pm.

eviscerateyourmemory · 14/02/2011 20:11

I think that it depends on the job - if you could get away on time each day that makes it a different proposition to a job where you might have to stay later.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 14/02/2011 20:12

You'd end up doing full time work in part time hours..

Original poster
breathing · 14/02/2011 20:12

mrsjamin it is about trying to get away without childcare.

OP posts:
atswimtwolengths · 14/02/2011 20:13

I did this, but found it a problem when the children were sick, because whenever they were, it was always on a work day, whereas if I'd worked three days, there'd only be a 3 in 5 chance.