Working condensed hours on 80% pay

[Notsure2023]

Recently went back after maternity leave, before I left I agreed flexible working 4 days per week. Agreed my pay would be reduced to 80%.

im in a client facing management position. My clients were changed and I was given more responsibility when I returned to work - I now have our biggest clients (not discussed with me first).

I’ve kept the same job title and I’ve not got a pay increase.

It’s becoming apparent I’m doing the same amount of work across 4 days. No one covers for me on my day off. AIBU to expect full pay?

Will also depend on your contract and culture. My contract effectively states that whilst you have regular working hours, you effectively need to work extra hours if required. The culture is that most people work extra hours as standard during busy times. This is why they have stopped allowing condensed working because it’s not fair if some people can bank time and some can’t. So whilst I may have been doing 35 hours over 4 days when I was part time, those working full time hours were probably doing 45 hours. Sounds like lots of people on here work in fixed hours type roles which probably makes 5 in 4 more achievable.

If you’re working full time you may as well have paid for it.

OP never came back to clarify if she was actually working more hours.
So I’ll assume she was just coasting a bit before, and the company are just getting better value for money now.
It’s good news that maternity leave and reduced hours hasn’t led to side lining you with less important clients.

My sister who has children turned down 4 day week. She said others in her firm who work 4 days per week are doing full amount (catching up on weekend, working their socks off and staying late on work days) for 80% of the pay. An employers dream.

I also had a colleague who started after school run and finished at 3pm to collect chikdren. The boss would give her same tasks as me doing 8 hours. Then when she didn't finish them or did them slap dash the boss would moan.

This is what they do to most women who are scared of losing their 4 day job. Please make a stand as they are taking the p out of you 😘😘

Yep me too.
I could go back to 5 days if I wanted but I like having the day to myself plus from a tax perspective it isn’t work it. It’s worth the pay cut. I usually do a bit of work in my day off but on my terms: I turn off all messages/email and don’t accept any meetings. So I can be quite productive in about 3 hours.
To be fair, I work for a lovely company and have had 3 pay rises since going to 4 days a year ago so I’m on almost as much as I was when I was 5 days this day last year.
Could you ask for a pay rise, OP? Speak to HR/manager with evidence of your unchanged workload etc? Or ask for them to replace one of your larger clients with a smaller, more BAU client?

You’ve had a pay increase every quarter - why?

irrelevant to the OP but since you asked…not every quarter. In theory I get an annual payrise and bonus. So I had one in January 2022 immediately after moving to 4 days. I reckon it was bigger than it would have been percentage wise if I’d stayed on 5 days. Then I had an unexpexted payrise in the summer. I do a niche (ish) job which not many people in my firm do and the MD said he doesn’t want me to leave. (I wasn’t planning on going anywhere so it was a nice surprise). I got another this in Jan 2023. Again was a fairly decent percentage. I work for a U.S. based private company and they’re not beholden to shareholders etc so they can pay what they like. It’s a great company and since this most recent payrise, I’m almost back to my 5 day basic salary.

But back to the OP, in her case, I’d be asking for a pay rise if her firm is not proactively offering them. No downside imo.

So you’ve only had one unexpected pay rise….?

Can’t stand that others can work four days and I can because I have no children, that’s not aimed at anyone….. we all know Friday is a write off

@WorriedWarrier your company have said that you can't work PT because you have no kids? Really?

My kid is grown and gone but I work PT - the reason shouldn't matter.

I found having Fridays off didn’t work from a business point of view, deadlines are often on Fridays. Pick a different day off and see if that helps.

Can’t stand that others can work four days and I can because I have no children, that’s not aimed at anyone….. we all know Friday is a write off

anyone can ask for flexible working/part-time working. The employer shouldn't be making a value judgment about why you want fewer hours, only whether you can do the job in fewer hours

I also work part-time despite my son now being at university!

Yes. One unexpected.

Anyone can request flexible working as far as I’m aware, not just parents. My own experience tells me it’s primarily mothers that do because then they can get some life admin done to allow them to focus on DC at weekends without thinking of the shopping, laundry, bills that need to be done/paid.

I also don’t think Fridays are a right off. In my firm if you didn’t get work done you’d be managed out. People are definitely happier and more relaxed but for the most part everyone is motivated & productive.

I'd be surprised if they gave it to you unless you are working the same hours over 4 days.

Depending on seniority, most people work more like 50 hours a week split over 5 days so I never understand the compressed hours argument.

It usually comes down to negotiation and bargaining power. If you're indispensable they might do it. If you're perceived as a slacker then not.

Although few will admit this, in my experience that's the realpolitik in my industry. It very much depends on custom and practice in your industry.

I have the same arrangement. You are paid by hours not output so you have two options:

1. tell them you can't manage your workload in your new hours or
2. work full time and get paid for it.

That's really all there is to it. But, I agree. Working 80% means you effectively do the same in less time. I used this as a advantage to my company who didn't think it would be possible to cover my position part time becaue I really wanted a day a week off with DC.

For those saying it's naughty of employers, that's a cynical view.

They are offering you flexibility to not be there one day a week. Others have to be there.

Realistically even though you may be covering the same portfolio, you're unlikely to be doing as much work as you would if you were there the full 5 days. Anything urgent that comes up on the day will have to be sorted, whether your clients or others.

Plus there are always miscellaneous requests to handle.

It’s my biggest frustration. I’m in financial services and happens all the time. I’ve been working for over 20 years and never seen 80% or part time successfully implemented.

To balance that - it’s really popular in my sizeable company and I’ve only ever seen it go wrong once. We do have 2 board level employees on a job share though - so good flexible working is modelled top down.

That’s good to hear. I’ve just never seen job sharing done. Reduced hours are agreed but unlikely clients/role responsibilities are reduced to reflect this.

You don’t say if your work hours have actually changed just that the amount of days you work has. If you are still working the same hours you should still be receiving your full pay because whether you do the work over 3, 4 or 5 days the work still gets done!

In an ideal/perfect world as you have been given more responsibility in the job you would expect your pay to reflect that but we do not live in an ideal or perfect world.

You need to take this up with HR or your boss & remember your worth!

Ask yourself these questions now & do some research before going in all guns blazing…
How much is your job paying in other workplaces?
How hard would it be for you to find the same job with better pay if you were to leave?

This sounds like potential discriminatory behaviour on the part of your employer but you need to clarify that with a Union, join one now if you aren’t part of one, & by throughly reading your contract!

OMG can’t believe how you’re being slated! You’re missing the hen do and going to the wedding. I wouldn’t be offended if I was your sister. Why are hen do’s so flipping important?! Good luck OP!!

I had to do that in my younger days when my employer was in difficulties. It was a 3 day week for 80% pay. I had no problem with it as I liked the shorter week and there were benefits of scale (less travel to work and I could get more done at home.)
However, it also gave me time to look for other jobs, and I did move on after a few months for more pay and a different challenge.

Wrong thread but I know the one you mean and I agree with you!

Speak to an employment lawyer, your union and HR