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AIBU?

To consider compressed hours?

30 replies

TabithaTwitchEye · 01/09/2015 19:12

I'm about to start a new job, and am considering asking to work 8-6 4 days a week, with a day off.

DD will just have turned 3 when I start this job, and otherwise would be in nursery full time.

I will have a 45 min commute to each way (train-horror allowing).

What do you think, am I BU/ naive to consider this? Or might it be okay??

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glorious · 01/09/2015 19:37

I think it's worth a try. I am very slightly part time but basically work similar hours. Don't underestimate the challenges of working 4 days even if you still do full time hours. You miss things and your first day of the week involves lots of catching up.

Spartans · 01/09/2015 19:39

I did full time hours across 4 days (10-8) for years I loved it.

Spent less on petrol, commute on 4 days (instead of 5) and 3 days off. I dropped dd at school and dh worked from 6am so was able to pick her up.

If it fits in with your life, go for it. I found it tiring for the first couple of weeks. But after that it was great.

I work from home now, if I worked in an office I would go for it again.

Littlecaf · 01/09/2015 19:42

My DP does this and it means he gets a day at home during the week with DS. We're all awake at 6am when he gets up anyway so it works all round.

DisappointedOne · 01/09/2015 19:46

I did compressed hours for years. More time off, reduced commuting costs. What's not to love?

BackforGood · 01/09/2015 19:46

I think I'd miss seeing my dc on the other 4 days though. Effectively being out the house for 12 hours. I mean, I know people do it, but having to do it is a bit different from asking to do it.

Obvs I don't know what you do, but is there not any possibility of a couple of those hours being at home in the evenings, so you see her at teatime/bathtime/bedtime each day and make up the hours when she's asleep ?

trilbydoll · 01/09/2015 19:51

I think it depends on your job. Me being p/t only works because I do extra, so I need the flexibility to do extra hours here and there. Same applies if DD is ill, I can move days about. Being contracted 8-6 leaves you very little room for manoeuvre!

addictedtosugar · 01/09/2015 19:54

I ended up with 4.5 days a week, which suited me, as I didn't have much of a commute.
My boss was against FT in 4 days, but would have considered 10 in 9 ( ie every other Friday off).

Will you see your son 4 days a week? Can your DH do all the drop offs and pick ups? Could you work from home? eg do 8-4, then 7-9?

BackforGood · 01/09/2015 19:55

I'm assuming your dh has shorter hours, so he can drop off and collect from Nursury?

scarlets · 01/09/2015 20:05

Since swapping a "career" for a "job", my work is very boring. I don't think that I could do it 8-6, the monotony would be terrible. There's plenty I like about the job - but it's repetitive. As it happens I'm part time and I only do 2 or 3 short days per week, but if I were full time I wouldn't compress. If I had a less tedious job, I would, because the day off and cheaper commuting costs would be attractive.

Purplepoodle · 01/09/2015 20:59

loads of people do it at my work, lots of couples as they can both take a day off and only pay for childcare 3 days a week.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 01/09/2015 21:02

Have you already signed contract etc? If so, may be a bit late to ask now! I think it's 26 weeks to request flexible working.

WickedWax · 01/09/2015 21:11

Depending on what the job is I think you should get a few months under your belt first, suss out the company and its flexible working policy, see if anyone else does compressed hours and see if the job actually can be done in 4 days. Then you can put a reasoned request forward. I think to do so after you've accepted a full time over 5 days job, but before you've actually started there, might not come across too well.

HackerFucker22 · 01/09/2015 21:13

You can request flexible working hours at any time? Doesn't mean your co. have to agree.

I'm due back soon and I did toy with compressed hours. I just don't want to lose the evening time with the kids? I like the idea of one Monday off every two weeks though. . May have to see how that works for me. Thay may be more workable.

HackerFucker22 · 01/09/2015 21:15

Sorry. I see it's a new job.... is there an option to work compressed hours? Or is this something you've just decided you want to consider?

Lilaclily · 01/09/2015 21:16

I did this and I hated it
I was so tired on the long working days & missed dcs
Ended up cooking ironing sorting bags in the evenings until midnight
Was too tired on the days off to do anything

HunterHearstHelmsley · 01/09/2015 21:16

From Government website...
All employees have the legal right to request flexible working - not just parents and carers.

This is known as ‘making a statutory application’.

Employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks to be eligible.

SellFridges · 01/09/2015 21:18

I'm going to do something similar in that I'll be finishing at 3pm on two days a week to allow me to do some picks ups at school. It should also give me chance to keep on top of some house jobs and admin. I'll work the extra hours either first thing or in the evening depending on work requirements.

EddieStobbart · 01/09/2015 21:31

I do ten days in nine, have done for nine years. Works well for me - extra 48 mins a day (if strict clock watching). Can get bored out of my mind though, any chance of working from home at all?

blueshoes · 01/09/2015 22:05

Agree with wickedwax.

Once you have sussed out your job and the lie of the land, an alternative is compressed hours over 4.5 days with the last stub day from home. On that day, you save on the commute time and get to do the nursery run with your dd

NotMeNotYouNotAnyone · 01/09/2015 22:13

It's common in my job, our standard shifts are 35 hours over four days in my team. It works for some people and some jobs. Yanbu at all to ask for it

LemonPied · 01/09/2015 22:14

I do compressed hours, 33 hours in 3.75 days, I get a Tuesday off each week. It works for me. Some of my days are rather long, but every bank holiday I get a 4 day weekend with no annual leave and my commute is much cheaper this way.

lemoncordial · 01/09/2015 22:17

I do 5 days over 4. It's tough. But worth it.

hibbleddible · 01/09/2015 22:18

Sounds like a good idea. You would save on commuting costs and nursery fees, as well as spending more time with dd.

Is your dp able to do the nursery run?

TabithaTwitchEye · 02/09/2015 09:44

I should probably add - I'm a Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS, meaning that working from home is not possible!

Yes, DH is able to do the nursery run.

People seem quite divided! Gah! I'm not sure! Am in London, so the nursery saving would be significant...

OP posts:

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 02/09/2015 09:53

I do it and so does DH. 36 hours in 4 days, meaning 8 to 5.30, with 30 mins lunch. My only issue is that because we commute together (only have one car), I have zero flexibility for staying on if we were late in the morning. I have to leave at 5.30 on the dot or we won't get to nursery before it shuts at 6. However, that won't affect you as your husband will be doing the drop off/pick ups.

I like it - it's not that long a day - leave home at about 7.15 am and get back at 6.10 pm. That's not massively unreasonable. It's great only having to pay for 3 days of childcare!

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