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 3x 08:30 - 18:00 and 1x 08:30 - 17:00 with half hour lunches (35 hours a week)

It's great

@Curiosity101

This a pretty standard working pattern where I work. Lots of people work a condensed week and then either have every Friday off or every other Friday.

I wouldn't consider it now I've got a child as I'd never get a chance to see him. But in your situation I can only see benefits if you think it'll work for you.

It seems odd that your mum is against it. Did she say why?

She is against it because she thinks it will impact my career and that I'm being difficult for asking for a flexible working arrangement out of desire rather than necessity. It's not as if she's slamming my choices, but she's very much of the opinion that those serious about progression basically eat, sleep and work every day, whilst I'm more concerned with my life outside of work, despite being ambitious.

Many years ago I used to work 8-6 with a 45 min lunch break with weekends and Wednesdays off. It worked really well for me although in truth it was a flexi contract so I did have the leeway to start work as late as 10 and finish as early as 2, as long as I made up the hours each month.

In a past job I worked 3x12 shifts a week. Yes it was hard (probably more to do with how much I hated the job) but having the extra days off made it worth it. I could change my shifts so that my days off were back to back and have a weeks holiday or long weekend without using any holidays

Also flexible working is the norm now we are coming out of the pandemic.

You're fine. I'm a teacher and 7am - 5.30pm is my standard working day.

It absolutely wouldnt suit me to do this. But it might suit you.

Its hard going , a close friend of mine did this to juggle childcare, found it exhausting.
Probably easier if you aren't doing it to fit round children and so have less drain on your emotions and time!
I can see the attraction but you can end up overtired and overstretched.
Try it and see how you go, if you can easily swap back again then youve nothing to lose by trying.

It's fine. Lots of people work those hours near enough 5 days a week anyway. I'd only take a 45 min break though so you have a shorter day.

This is becoming more common and lots of people work 9 day fortnights

If it doesn't work then revert to 5 days a week

I worked 40 hour weeks in four days for five years and LOVED IT!

My schedule was 6:30am to 5pm (I had a 30 minute lunch) with a 45-minute commute each way daily and it was right for me. I enjoyed having three day weekends.

You are definitely NOT being unreasonable.

Your mum has zero understanding of the new approach to flexible working. She's wrong.

My DS does this. He works 8-6 with half hour for lunch. He loves having every Friday off.

I work full time over 4 days and it really suits me. Love my Friday off.

My colleague works a 9 day fortnight (no kids), she loves her day off and I don't think anyone really notices.

Lots of people do compressed hours here, I do a 9 day fortnight so not quite as many hours a day, but I love it. Once you're at work you're at work, and having an extra day off in the week is fab.