To only work 4 days a week

[RootBeerFloat43]

Just interested in people's opinions of this as my partner and I have disagreed. I have a job offer where I can work either 4 days or 5 days a week. Our son is in school so, the day off would just be giving me a break and a bit of time to myself. My partner doesn't really understand why I need the time off and I do see his point as he works full-time. After mat leave, I went back to work 4 days a week but this was so I could have my son at home with me instead of nursery. Now that he is in school, is it just expected that I work full-time?

Not yet decided what I will do but would be interesting to hear other people's thoughts on this. Just to be clear, we both have professional roles and make good money so we would not struggle financially with part-time working.

*You don't save any annual leave, though. Yes, you take less "days" but the amount of time you're off work is the same. You just get paid for four days/week when you're off as opposed to five days.

You're not in a better position re. saving annual leave just because you work four days.*

You could be if you didn't work on the Monday for instance as most holiday weekends have the Monday off.

You could be if you didn't work on the Monday for instance as most holiday weekends have the Monday off.

Not true, you get your bank holidays prorated when you work four days a week.

I dropped to 4 days from a full time job and my MIL echoed what some of the pp are saying... when does my husband get a day off, why does he have to work full time without a break etc etc.

My husband doesn't do anywhere near the amount of housework/cooking/washing/shopping/admin that I do, so when he finishes work, his evenings are free, mine are not.

Having a day off didn't affect my pay too much when you take into account we then didn't need breakfast/after school club on that day.

Having a day off meant I could book all doctors, dentists, bank, solicitor, etc, appointments without having to take time off work.

Getting on my errands and housework, laundry, batch cooking done on my day off, meant that our weekends and evenings were now completely free and we had much better quality time together as a family.

The only benefit to me was that one every couple of months I was able to get a hairdresser appointment! And even that was more for my DH as it meant he didn't have to mind them on a Saturday for me to go!

So I may have been off my paid work, but it was to make it easier to deal with the mental load and do house/family work, without me running about like a blue arsed fly every evening and weekend.

My MIL would only have had a point if all housework/child-related jobs were split 50/50. Which they weren't, I was doing them all while working the same amount as my DH. His evenings and weekends were always free - I've just leveled the playing field by making sure I now have an equal amount of free time, while only actually costing the household "family money" roughly £20/week.

(Now A SAHM after 3rd DC born and a poorly DM)

I do an early school pick up time finish twice a week and that is so helpful as means you can facilitate play dates and after school activities or DC have time to chill at home where they're not in wrap around care.

But if I wasn't working at all during the day when they're at school I'd expect to do mainly cooking/cleaning, with maybe just a couple of hours to myself.

Unless your partner can also afford to work part time, in which case lucky you, that is fair so crack on!

Can you do 4 days work over 5 days = a shorter day so you can be with your child more in the late afternoon?

Mind you, I did this for a while and it being the 'best of both worlds' was pretty tiring ie doing all the SAHM stuff after school but also working.

If you do stick to 4 days, make sure you only do the 4 days worth of work. It's easy to slip into doing 5 days worth of work and if you're doing that you might as well be paid.

My answer is based on assumptions, but is there a chance that the OP works and does most of the housework and mental load? Getting school uniforms ready, lunch boxes etc. I think it’s a shame that your OH would disapprove of time for yourself. Could you both do 4 days and be financially ok?

I'm surprised at how some view both parents working like it's a competition/ has to be equal. Fair enough if you are struggling for money, but there is more to life than work and lots of other factors such as stress, health, division of Labour, mental load need considering.

I've worked 3 long days after having children. I don't think my kids would manage 5 days before and after school care.

I do like to plan ahead - paying into pension since 21yo but Sacrificing time with my kids now to build my pension more seems to completely miss the point of life!!

I can draw my pension at 68yo. One of my parents died in thier 50s. The other one is not in good health in earlier 60s. I could be dead before I get to pension age.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

You could be if you didn't work on the Monday for instance as most holiday weekends have the Monday off.

Not true, you get your bank holidays prorated when you work four days a week.

I don’t work Mondays and I don’t

Btw OP not saying it's a bad idea just only really fair if its agreed as a family, and I personally would think the person getting the day off should use the time usefully

Lassy1945
That's quite unusual.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

You could be if you didn't work on the Monday for instance as most holiday weekends have the Monday off.

Not true, you get your bank holidays prorated when you work four days a week.

My bank holidays are not pro rata.

I don’t work Mondays and still get all the Bank Holidays, as most are Mondays I get them to take when I choose instead. My annual leave is pro rata but not the statutory days. We also get another 5 concessionary days and these are not pro rata either. It definitely works out better for me.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

Lassy1945 That's quite unusual.

It isn’t

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland she said early in the thread that he could also work 4 days but chooses not to.

TBH choosing to be at work more than you need to be comfortably off, when you have a young child, is at least as selfish as choosing not to be at work more than you need to be to pay your way...

I work in HR

You could be if you didn't work on the Monday for instance as most holiday weekends have the Monday off.

That depends on the workplace. Many have them pro-rata'd.

I work 4 days a week (30hours per week) and love the additional time off.

If you can afford it (we have no kids and the mortgage is paid off) I'd say go for it.

50% more free time for a less than 20% drop in salary. Go for it.

@sunflowersandbuttercups I understand that but kids are off school more Mondays than other days for example. So it could work in your favour annual leave wise.

[quote shouldistop]@sunflowersandbuttercups I understand that but kids are off school more Mondays than other days for example. So it could work in your favour annual leave wise. [/quote]
Yes, if your workplace annual leave policy works out that way.

I work part-time myself and have zero issue with it but it's worth making sure you do it properly (eg. work the right days/times etc) to make sure you have the best work/financial/free time balance possible.

I work 4 days a week. It's nice to have a day to catch up. I never spend it idle, but that's my choice. DH works full time but mostly from home and flexibly so it doesn't feel unequal.

My kids are both in secondary school and I still only work 4 days a week. I don't intend to ever work full time again if I can help it!

That day off allows me to get everything done before the weekend including things like haircuts etc. I used to use it to clean but I've got a cleaner to do that now. I use it to play tennis and have lunch with friends too . DH fully supportive. He could do the same as we are both in senior positions but he works from home one day a week instead .

I have worked 4 days for the last three years and I absolutely LOVE it. I would not go back to full time unless there was no other alternative. I generally spend my week day off doing chores and errands, as well as going to a regular art class, but it means that I can really enjoy and relax at the weekend. I think you would benefit but your whole family would benefit too.

If you can afford it, do it!

I worked 4 days for a short period when our children were in school. My husband didn't care. We earned the same as each other for full time, so I did still pay 50% of the bills. He didn’t insist on it - actually, he didn’t care - but it didn’t seem right to me that I’d pay less for choosing to have the leisure time. I did not spend the day doing “family” stuff like housework 🤣

Well I have no kids and I work 4 days a week! Less time working, more time for life, I say. If you can afford it I'd go for it, although I can see why your OH might be a bit miffed if he has to be the one working full time.

I work 4 days a week and I think I would like to for all time tbh. It means Fridays I have the youngest at home with me, and i can do pick up and drop off, plus a day every week in the school holidays we dont have to worry about childcare for 2 of them. I do the food shop on Fridays, do some of the housework, sometimes I just dont do anything. I love it! When youngest goes to pre-school next yr i will have that day (well, 6 hours of the day in term time) to do whatever I so wish - cant wait! If theres no financial impact go for it.