AIBU to work full-time over four days

[Apparentlyhours]

Posting partly for traffic, but also because my mother thinks I'm unreasonable.

I'm starting a new job, and I've asked to work a four day week whilst remaining full-time. Employer has agreed. I told my mother about this and she said it was a silly idea and that I wouldn't last. I personally think that having an extra day to not be at work is a good idea and would be good for my mental health. I used to have a two-hour each way commute, so it's not as if I'm not used to long days. However, maybe I'm underestimating things? My plan is as follows:

2 days in the office, 2 days from home, working 7am - 6pm (this way I can take two break of 45 minutes each, or one longer 1.5 hour break).

My commute to the office is 45 minutes each way. I have a partner, but no children or other commitments. I'd like to use my free day to do my hobby and any relax.

AIBU?

I do a 9 day fortnight like the poster above. I have every other Wednesday off.

I find Wednesday a great day to have off because when you finish on Tuesday you know there's only one day and then you're back so you don't worry too much about what you are leaving - might be a bit different on a Friday?

I have to confess for the first 6/7 months I DID find it hard. I do 8-5.15 most of the days with a 45 min break.

After about 6 months I got used to it no problem and now I can't imagine a different way of working - I love having every other Wednesday off but no change to my pay packet - it's like having annual leave every two weeks!

Also on my non-working Wednesday I actually help my disabled daughter so school run, washing, gardening, changing bed, admin etc so it's not a "take it easy" day and I am 50 ... but I still got used to it after 6 months!

Hope this helps?!

I did this for a decade. If I wain't homeworking around the kids post covid I still would be. With a long commute it makes sense and is easy to get into the rhythm. Only downside is missing the same work day each week; despite being full time you will be perceived as partime and it definitely affects yours career

I currently do a 9 day fortnight which feels less impactful on work

I do it. 8-6 four days. I love it. Would never go back if I can help it.

I work 4 days a week (30 hours)

If it suits you, do it. Its great having an extra day

I don’t find it that difficult to catch up on Monday, other people soon learn that you aren’t in and you just manage your work accordingly

BuggerBognor that might be a workplace problem - why would good employees want to work somewhere with an unlimited hours culture? Its terrible for work life balance and not the kind of employer anyone with any choice would want to work for.

Loads of people do compressed hours at my place of work, unfortunately not my role but I would love it, They work 8 - 6 which I often do anyway but without the pay and extra day off !

When I was at work working condensed hours was definitely becoming more common. I can't see how it would affect promotion as if you applied for a more senior position then you would be going with the hours that job stipulated. Once settled you could then maybe discuss working condensed hours and how that would work if at all possible. We had management who actually did a four day week as in reduced hours which did not seem to be a problem.

My DH does compressed hours. To be fair, his isn't the kind of job where he's worried about progressing. Before having kids, I always worked shifts and long days were the norm. But we did get nice long weekends off etc.

There will always be someone moaning, but if your boss is happy and you're happy, it's no one else's business is it

I condensed my hours into a 4 day week. I now do 7am till 5lm mom-we'd and 7am till 4:30pm on a Thursday with Fridays off.
It's tough starting earlier and working a longer day but having the Friday off is really nice.
I wfh and have for 5 years but have been doing a 4 day week since November last year.
My company have always given me the option to change hours back at any point if I want to!

Just started a new role doing this myself. I do 36 hours so 4 x 9 hour days with Wednesdays off. I love it. If it fits with your lifestyle then go for it x

I do this. Works brilliantly.

I do full time in 4 days, as do many of my colleagues. I only have one longer break though so it’s not such a long as as you but then I have to have dinner when I get home so it’s swings and roundabouts.

I always say the benefit of a day off outweighs the hassle of an extra couple of hours a day.

If you can make it work great.

It's not permitted in my workplace. It used to be but since we are expected to work long hours beyond the contract anyway (and are compensated well due to this expectation) - people were taking advantage to get a day off and it wasn't fair on those doing the long hours 5d per week.

I am contacted part time but work above full time hours all told at the end of the week. Just how it is. If I was full time the hours expected would be even more.

My colleague does this and loves it.

Its quite common. I have a few colleagues who do this.

An alternative is 9 days out of 10 - where you work slightly longer days and have 1 day off a fortnight. Not quite as hard going as 4 out of 5.

@tattychicken

Hard work but definitely doable. I work a "9 day fortnight", so compressed hours and have every other Friday off. That might be an option if you're struggling to fit the hours in over 4 days.

Yes I do this and it’s wonderful. I hardly feel the extra time per day. If you can manage the early starts it’s an excellent idea.

I work full time:
Tues: 8am - 5pm
Wed: 8am - 6pm
Thursday: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 5pm

No breaks because we are exempt (which I prefer).

I did that pre-children and it was fine. I loved having the extra day to myself.

I found it too hard though when I got pregnant and went back to 5 days.

I do this and it is great having one day a week free. I wouldn’t change it

I also do a 9 day fortnight, works really well.