to go 4 days a week to be a better person?

[worklessormore]

Hello - regular here but nc'd as colleague knows my other username. Genuinely open to feedback and advice on this.

Would I be unreasonable to go part time to do voluntary work in search of meaning? Or will it make it hard to be taken seriously at work? Basically, is it wrong to ask - is this it, is there more to life than work?

I currently work full time in a good job. I have seniority, I mostly enjoy it, I am well paid for my industry, nice company. I've always been academic and a hard-worker (some might say workaholic), never given less than 100% to anything and climbed the ladder. I've always put my career above everything else.

I'm mid thirties, happily married, no children but keen to get cracking in the next year or two (if nature obliges).

When I was younger I wanted to make a real difference to the world and now I realise I am a person with an office job and not really making a huge contribution to a better society. It's occurred to me I could try to go 4 days a week (and take a pay cut) to take up voluntary work or something meaningful on that day per week. I feel like I'd like to work with disadvantaged young people, volunteer in a prison or work with children. I hope I'd be able to make a contribution and become more well rounded as person.

But am I being hopelessly naive? Would I spend my extra day in my trackie bottoms watching the shopping channel? Will work ever take me seriously again if I ask? Will it harm my career long time? Am I, to quote Sheryl Sandberg, 'leaning out' too early?

I just feel I want kids but I also want to make a difference in a wider sense - and when they arrive I'll have less time and flexibility so if I'm going to chase this elusive sense of 'meaning' I'd better do it now.

Anyone done this?

If you can afford it and your DH is on board, then go ahead.

But you might not be able to maintain the commitment if and when you have DCs.

You sound like you want to be Miss America!

If you want to, try it. But you are making a big commitment and you can't get bored after 2 weeks.

Well the Tories are suggesting a new policy whereby your company still pay you while you do voluntary work (but only three days a year, not sure of the details TBH!)

You really do only get one life - enjoy it and do what you really want to do.

It really depends on what the 'character' of your workplace is like and what YOUR aspirations are? Would you really care if anyone judged you?... Because there will always be someone who will judge!

Live your life for you. Not other people or your career. Unless that's what you want!

I have to confess... I went to 4 day weeks to train as a psychotherapist, as I really wanted to volunteer and help people. Once qualified, I went back to full time for a couple of years and volunteered at a counselling Agency in the evenings. I'm just about to go back to 4 days a week because I've found a fantastic opportunity to volunteer 1 day a week.

So I'm kind of biased! But it's the best thing I have ever done. For me. I feel that I can dedicate myself to my high-powered profession for 4 days and then dedicate myself to something that I really love the rest of my spare time. I also feel I'm setting a good example for my DC (I'm way older than you!).... Choose what you love and do it whole-heartedly!

I feel much happier because it took a lot of courage for me to decide to follow my heart... And not just the security of more money!

Do what feels good to you. If you change your mind.... You can always do something else or go back to what you did before! There are no rules! Just the good life!

Do it! And if you spend 6 months on the sofa so what? Work pay you for the time you work so if you want to go 4 days what you do on the other days is down to you. If you commit to voluntary work you can give it up if you do get pg. Things are fluid...go with how you feel now. I've upped hours, downed hours, volunteered, taken a break and spent time on the sofa.

I think you should do whatever makes you happy (as long as it doesn't harm anyone else/you can afford it etc.).

However, I think you'll be massively disappointed/underwhelmed with the amount you'll be able to contribute working one day a week in a voluntary role. It can be hard to even find a voluntary job these days, people are desperate for something to put on their CV, so some places are turning volunteers away. If you do find somewhere it will likely be the teeniest, tiniest drop in the biggest ocean (unless you find something very niche or very personal). I would at try volunteering on a weekend day and if you find something that suits you and you get the 'making the world a better place' feeling you want then drop a day at work and give more time to the cause. At the moment you don't have a cause/charity in mind, no contacts, no idea if you'll like it/find it fulfilling it etc.

Personally, I would wait until after having children. Children are expensive and it's expensive to work when you need to pay for childcare, it's hard when you've had sleepless nights, you can feel guilty being away from them etc. Work the hours and get the money in the bank now. When you're bored at home on maternity leave, then look at finding a voluntary role a few hours a week. There's loads of voluntary mother and baby type stuff that you could take your baby to, so that isn't too much of a problem (things like running a playgroup/support group, being a bf counsellor, supporting young/struggling mums etc.). Same advice whether you're planning on working or being a SAHP.

Could you not start something at work? An apprenticeship or work experience scheme? A business ambassador scheme and go and help in schools? I used to do this one day a month and found it rewarding. Could you take a month's leave and do a voluntary build a school type thing? Other things that help can be in evenings. School governors are often needed, etc. might be worth trying before you lose income.

Thank you for all the wise replies. Really interesting to see your points of view and lots of ideas for me to think about. Keep the feedback coming!

Go for it. It's not naive and a lot of companies would support it. I know people who do similar. My only watch outs would be

• will you end up doing extra hours in the evening to make up to a full time role or will they take 1 day work off you?
• if you do get pregnant your %maternity pay will be based on 4 days work.
• will you be able to make a different in a voluntary role or would you be better moving to the charity sector using your skills in a senior role?

Interesting to hear your story Goddess and the fact four days a week allowed you to train and explore new things.

Eggity I like the idea of seeing if I could scratch this itch through work by setting up something with them.

Should add I have prior volunteering experience and currently sit on a charity board. The difference is its always been something I've done evenings, weekends and holidays but now I'm thinking instead of sacrificing my personal time I might be willing to sacrifice work.

Laughed at the Miss America comment. Guess I have always had very idealistic views and the (narcissistic?) hope I could really DO something. Expected more teasing along these lines so surprised by the numbers of you saying you only live once and go for it. Always struck my that regrets of the dying thing: no-one says they wished they'd worked more.

Can you bring it into work instead? Get involved in corporate responsibility, mince towards a role that means something to you etc?

I suspect that if you wasn't to keep working, volunteering a large chunk of your week may not work with young DC.

Why not 'sacrifice' a few weekends & see how you like it before doing something more drastic like taking a paycut.

What is your work culture? There are some sectors/workplaces where this would be fine and others where you would be seen as not committed to your role, especially given that you're senior. What will happen when something major crops up on your day off?

Would it be worth trying to agree a compressed hours deal where you had one day a fortnight free in exchange for working a slightly longer day the rest of the time, and seeing how that went first?

If you want kids to need to be secure in your job. Personally I would be concerned that my employers thought I wasn't 100% committed to reduce hours in this economic climate, and if you want to cut hours/maternity leave, then you may not be looked upon too favourably.

Once you have kids you will know all about meaning!! Going to the loo alone becomes an highlight of your day!!