To drop working Fridays just... because

[AWiseWomanOnceSaidFuckThisShit]

I'm nearly 37. I care about my job and doing things properly but I'm very much the "work to live" type. I don't have a degree or a glittering career, I'm not massively ambitious and whilst I'm on a decent salary (admin role) I don't see the working world as a ladder I need to climb. I need to work both for money and a purpose / routine (work is good for the soul) but I'm always counting down the days to the weekend. Over the past few months I've decided if I leave my current job I would like to drop down to Mon - Thus. I've been able to use really good flexible hours over the last couple of years but that's about to be restricted and it's making me feel really trapped. I have a fair amount in savings for emergencies, I have a small mortgage and no children or plans to ever have them. I guess I've just realised I want more of a work life balance and although we all need money, I would rather have a bit less and be happier. But most people I know only work 4 days per week because they are approaching retirement or they have childcare issues... I am just basically saying I want Fridays off because I can afford it and I can't be arsed! Will this make me look lazy etc?! Would a company even say yes to this? I doubt my current employers would.

Do it! I do admittedly I have a DD but I won’t be increasing my hours even when I can!
If they won’t let you have a day off, could you condense 5 days into 4? just a thought.

I dropped one day aged 38 no kids (TTC with complications)

It's amazing! My life is no longer a hamster wheel. I cook, clean, bake, sell stuff, go to appointments, meet friends, go shopping, watch Netflix, exercise, save money (sometimes work but not often).

Down side is less money but not a a much of a drop as I thought, and less pension but I can do the job for longer.

This sounds like a fabulous idea OP, go for it!

I've always said I'd like to work a bit less but in my job I suspect I'd end up being left with 5 days work and 4 days pay unfortunately.

YADNBU! Working less is the key to longevity (for me personally), whilst taking away from no one. We all have one life to live. In 30's like many here. Ours and the next generations have been primed for working til we drop and I'm afraid I'm not doing that for anyone. Still manage to help the charities/ causes I care about too.

Do it! Just make sure you don't get lumped with 5 days work for 4 days pay :)

Not having kids helps a great deal when making decisions like this.

I don’t have any and dropped to 3 days when I was 50 as had paid my mortgage off. I earn around £1500 a month now and that’s plenty with no mortgage and no kids to fund either now or in the future. The house will be an additional pension too as not bothered about leaving anything behind so a bit of equity release in the future for me!

I think working too much is bad for your health.

That's my life plan. Probably another 3 years of slog, taking me to 35. Then request a fixed shift pattern of 4 on 4 off (I work in a 24/7 workplace).

Do it!

I dropped Fridays when I was 29, I decided to stay like that when my son started school. Its great as I can get things done without a six year old irritating me, but I also enjoy having that time to myself/time just with my husband.

I really don’t think I’ll ever work fulltime again while I can afford to be part time.

I’ve recently gone back to work after second maternity leave. I’m using my Maternity accrued holiday to take one day off a week.
I wasn’t sure about it, but 5 weeks in I’m loving it!
It’s amazing how a day off each weeks makes you feel like you have so much free time!
No childcare responsibilities on that day, just sorting some tasks out & getting some me time!
I’ll want to continue after my holiday runs out so looking at condensed hours options for future

Go for it OP. I'm like you and have always worked simply to earn enough to live on. I took redundancy almost three years ago, and haven't been able to find another permanent job (I'm 61). However, I have done lots of temp work and have found I can happily live on less money than I thought I could. I just wish I had cut my hours back when I was much younger. I know everyone is different, but to me life always began the minute I left work - it was such a minor detail in my life (just a shame it took up so much time!).

I couldn’t contemplate doing this (as I need the money and I am trying hard to progress higher) but reading all your posts, it sounds like bliss! I hope I can do it when I am older!

I work very fast and productively, I've no doubt I could smash my work out in 4 days. To be honest I'm usually bored by Friday hence why the day feels so long if I'm stuck there wasting the day covering a phone or doorbell that doesn't even fucking ring after 1pm anyway. Unfortunately a couple of other admin ladies (approaching retirement) have already dropped Fridays and it took ages to be approved so highly unlikely they will allow this for me (I am the senior). I could talk to them but it looks like I'll be searching elsewhere. I don't know how to even approach this, other than contacting an agency and telling them Fridays off are non negotiable.

Sounds great, why not?

Do it!

When you apply for flexible working your employer isn't meant to use your personal circumstances as a factor in their decision whether or not to accept it. It shouldn't make a difference whether you have 0 kids or 12. Sorry if you already knew that.

Drop Mondays, not Fridays. Then you get all the Bank Holiday Mondays back to use as you want.

I do compressed hours for childcare reasons and OH keeps saying "when you go back to normal...." and I'm thinking "erm, nope!"

I'm thinking of doing this too op! Although I'd like to drop a Weds (have always hated Weds). I'm 37, child free by choice and can afford it. It'll be lovely to have a day off through the week!

I went from full time to 3 days a week 20 years ago, before I had children. DH and I bought an old cottage which needed a lot of work, and I earned a decent salary so decided time was more valuable to me than money. It was a great decision (and if I hadn't left to have a family later I could always have increased my hours if I'd wanted).

Go for it. Life's too short!

I went part-time years before getting pregnant, just for a better work-life balance. When I started a new job, one colleague assumed I had kids, and when he found out I didn't, asked why I was part-time. When I answered "work-life balance", he thought for a moment, and then said "fair enough". I was able to volunteer to do things at weekends and spend more time on housework and hobbies, instead of just work, sleep, repeat.

Went back part time after maternity leave.

Never went back to full time. Rode my horse, walked my dog and wafted.

Retired at 60 when company closed. (62 now)

I sometimes feel I should get another job but I have a small an inheritance so don’t bother.

I don't work Fridays and never plan to. Only given them up in last couple of years but wow does it make a difference to my quality of life!

Work would like me to do full time but absolutely not happening!

@Downthisroad

Do it! Just make sure you don't get lumped with 5 days work for 4 days pay :)

That's a good point. I know people who have ended up going back f/t as they were still given the same workload so better to be paid for it. What about a compressed week/fortnight? Same money but a day off each week/2 weeks? I think making up a day each week can be hard (what if you just feel knackered one day) but a day a fortnight is more doable.

My husband has just dropped Fridays, he’s 49 and worked full time for the last 33 year’s. I was a SAHM for 12 year’s until DS3 started Y1, I work 9-3 Monday and Wednesday and every other Fri 9-12, we will have 2 at Uni come September and 1 in Y11.
He would like to drop to 2 or 3 days when he’s 55, time for us again now as the children are starting their adult journey. We are not particularly well off but we’ve a little savings no debt except a small mortgage with 8 year’s left to go but we’re overpaying so it should be gone quicker.
My dad died at 50 and brother in law died at 59 and both worked all their lives and never got to retire with their wives, so we are planning on enjoying time with each other while we can.

I dropped to a 3 day week. I realised when I was furloughed that I could survive on less pay if I stopped buying crap I don't need.
So I now only work Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday

Do check what effect it will have on your pension though!