To ask if you’d go part time if it was an option?

[Salarymallory]

If you’re full time, and we’re given the choice of going to 60% ie three days a week, would you take it? Pro rata salary BUT the actual financial impact wouldn’t be 40% reduction but actually only 20%.

So in a nutshell
60% of full time hours. Two days off a week.
Reduction in income of 20% and it doesn’t have any financial negative effect on your life at all.

Would you say yes
Or do you enjoy full time?

On paper yes.

In practice it also depends on the job - if it's a career you love and a demanding job it can be really hard to do in just 3 days. I work 4 days a week in a senior role - no one else does my work when I'm out. So I have to manage my time very carefully, be super efficient and work hard. I don't think I could do it properly in just 3. Also think about advancement if that's of interest to you - if by working 3 days you're then able to do less or put yourself forward for fewer opportunities for extra responsibility, how will you feel about that?

Yes and I wish I'd done it before I had kids too.

Absolutely. I went back to work 2 long days per week and it was the best thing I could have done. I absolutely hated my job beforehand, but coming back 2 days I've actually started to enjoy it. Adding 2 short days working from home in a couple of weeks because DD is starting her 30 free hours nursery, that is purely motivated by money as I need to start working towards a promotion and being in 2 days doesn't give me the oppprtunity to do that.

As long as you either don't want to progress further, or being part time won't hinder your options to progress, then absolutely go for it!

I do 3 days a week which is a perfect balance for me

I did exactly that, went to 3 days. It made hardly any impact on my wages and I saved money on buying lunches, shopping etc. It did absolute wonders for my mental health. I had been suffering from terrible post natal anxiety for a couple of years. I wish I’d done it earlier!

I think if you aren’t interested in promotions or career progression it’s a good idea.
From my personal experience it does leave you ‘stuck’ in that particular role. I felt I wasn’t taken seriously at 3 days then later 4 days for projects and ended up with scraps of work. I went FT when I was made redundant.
Now I do 4 days compressed which is an excellent arrangement for me.

Absolutely yes! I’m full time at the moment and have 4 kids. I’m pooped.

Depends if it is a job or a career. Often part time staff are not considered for any progression etc.

I have "a job", I'm 56 and gradually retiring. I took my pension early from my past career. Took a job and am giving up more and more hours.

I wouldn't have done it before I had children. I now work 4.5 days over 4 and am glad I did - I worked full-time from when DC1 was 6 months to when he was 18 months and I found that hard, which is why I reduced my hours - but I'd be a bit hesitant to go down to three; in my very anecdotal experience that's when you start to be treated as part-time and it starts to affect whether you get given the more interesting work etc and progression.

@DuggyOnDown

Is there really anyone who wouldn't?

Yes. I tried it for a while when I went back from maternity leave but it just didn’t work with my job. Three days was far more stressful than doing 5 and I ended up having to keep up with emails and doing calls in my days off.

I could manage my colleagues around it but sometimes clients just need things are your days off, need you to attend certain meetings, etc.

I’ve thought about this but it’s hard to imagine keeping up with events in my job part time. And 4 days means 1 day at home - isn’t your family role then just trying to fit a weeks washing sorting cooking and cleaning into one day with a toddler and doing the school run so you get weekends back? I’m sure it’s good for the dc but it sounds pretty miserable.

Definitely would. Curious how the pay is worked out - does it bring you into a lower tax band, or is your employer very generous?!

I loved being part time. However, now paying off the mortgage and retiring early are my priorities so I need to stay full time. Doing compressed hours over two weeks helps. In your situation I would definitely consider it.

Yes and I've asked to. Work wont let me so I'm seeking another job now.

No I couldn't afford to

I wouldn't do part time, but would love compressed hours. I want to retire early (I'm only mid 30s) and cutting my salary and pension contributions now just doesn't make sense for me. I was made redundant in the first lock down and was lucky to find another position so I'm very aware that financial instability is only one pandemic away.

In my direct experience.
If you are working full time and have the option to go part time the only question you have to ask is.

1. Is the actual work pro rated?
2. What is the name of the person that will actually be doing this work?

I went to a 4 day week so that I could have a 3 day weekend and I love it.

And one place full time was 35 hours. I cut to 32 over 4 days and was referred to as part time. And not in a good way.

@timeisnotaline

I’ve thought about this but it’s hard to imagine keeping up with events in my job part time. And 4 days means 1 day at home - isn’t your family role then just trying to fit a weeks washing sorting cooking and cleaning into one day with a toddler and doing the school run so you get weekends back? I’m sure it’s good for the dc but it sounds pretty miserable.

I don't use my day off for housework - if I get a bit done then it's a bonus, but I don't see it as the purpose of the day, which is time for me and the children. It probably helps that DH and I both work four days a week so there is no expectation that one of us should now suddenly have to do all domestic stuff because they work PT and the other FT - and neither of us wants to waste our day off on housework so neither of us expects the other one to!

If I could afford to then yes, in a heartbeat

I’m a teacher and I did after having my first child. I’m due to go back from my 2nd and will be doing 50% over 4 days so just mornings really. This works really well for my childcare arrangements and for my school.
It definitely affects my pension and my progress in my job but I’m happy in the classroom and not keen to progress while my kids are this small anyway.
Being in 4 days means I don’t feel like the part timer who is out of the loop all the time. I just skunk away at lunch time and no one notices

No. I'd be concerned about my pension and I'd be worried that I'd end up doing a full time job but only getting paid for 3 days.

Besides I love my job

100% would love to do this.
Not sure if will ever happen as my job is crazy demanding.

No I actually wouldnt right now. A job came up for a similar role, more pay pro rata for 3.5 days a week and I didn't consider applying. I'm still very much climbing the ladder and going part time would severely impede my chances of promotion. I went part time for a short while when I had very young toddlers, and would likely to again at 50+, but right now I'm trying to advance myself as well as I can and that's very difficult to do part time.