To ask to go part-time?

[AnnoyedAtWork]

I work in the City and the nature of my job means that it is never really "finished" so they would be highly unlikely to go for the 5 days in 4 compressed hours type flexible working. (My hours are already 10-14 hours a day).

I could ask to WFH 1 day per week but I doubt this would help my balance at all as I'd still have to do everything I'd normally do and would have the added disadvantages of not being in the office, being perceived as less committed (I know!)etc. whereas doing 4 days id be perceived as less committed but at least I would not be working 5 days!

I know that I could do my job well in 4 days and would be prepared to get 80% pay in order to get a better work life balance (I like my job and the challenges of working in this industry however the lack of time for anything else often makes me miserable and stressed).

AIBU to ask for this? I would not be available for every single meeting if scheduled on my day off but I could do my fair share of team responsbilities on the other days. What about if clients or other teams in my workplace are frustrated they cant deal with me on mondays (say)?

I am aware that it may slow my career progression to ask for this (does anyone have any experience of being promoted in the City while being a part timer??) but I think that I would become more driven in those 4 days than I currently am in 5.

to add - I am not senior, so worried about progression.

YANBU to ask, but you need to think through what it would mean for the company and your colleagues.

Would they need to hire someone else, or would they need to shift work onto other people? If you can come up with a plan that would mean your work gets done without affecting anyone else, or having a negative effect on the company, then set that out to them when you ask.

They wouldn't need to hire someone else and it would not shift any work onto my colleagues unless a client wanted a meeting with us on that day specifically. I'd be flexible to changing the day off in those kind of circs but not every week.
I'd definitely get more done in the 4 days I think!

If you really want it, it's worth asking. I wouldn't have thought you'd be first choice for promotion when it comes up though, so it depends how much that matters to you.

Be careful about saying you will get more done in those four days, because that may look like you aren't being fully productive at the moment!

It really depends on your company. I only know a few people that work in the city, but those that do conduct a lot of their personal stuff during office hours, but it works because they are always in early and leave late. If this is the culture at your office and everyone is ok with that, then you might get away with saying that you will get more done in the four days as long as its made clear that you will be dedicated to work the entire time you're in the office.

If you can be flexible, and be prepared to change your day off, or even sacrifice it at particularly busy times, then it's worth asking.