Would you rather? Working pattern

[merlinpass]

30hours per week.

Would you rather

6 hours over 5 days

Or

7.5 hours over 4 days

Reasons for your choice gets bonus points.

If you say which day you'd choose to have off and why, you automatically win.

I used to do 4 day week, and have a day with my children when they were on nursery. It always meant working after they’d gone to bed on a Thursday to clear the decks.
now I do 2 shorter days and 3 normal ones so that I can do school pick up twice a week, and that works better for my children, and myself- as I can finish off the week on Friday morning, rather than Thursday night

No, Monday is better as it’s the day most bank holidays fall on so you’ll get more annual leave - part timers get the day back if they don’t work Mondays (if full timers receive BH as extra days rather than “including BH”.

I only work 3 half days a week and get 22.5 days holiday a year because I don’t work bank holiday days so I get them back (pro rata).

merlinpass so simply.. my colleague and I both work 20 hours, she works Mondays, I don't. We both have every Bank Holiday Monday off but she has to use a day of her annual leave allowance for this (because she would normally work it) and I don't (because I would be off anyway). If for example, there's six BH Mondays a year, I will get an extra 6 days more than her (pro rata hours) to take whenever I like.

@cptartapp

That's great thanks - looks like Monday would be the preferred day for this reason alone.

I do it over 4 days.

6 hours over 5 would mean I would need wraparound care for 5 days, so the financial saving is a positive for me (this also goes for school holidays, I never need care for my non working day).

I have a day to myself, where I can do the chores/shopping etc without dragging the kids about, meaning more time over the weekend.

I also sometimes spend that day doing nothing too!

If you are able to have a Friday/Monday (assuming it is a mon-fri role) things like going away for a weekend are easier.

That's a good point - I said Wednesday is the best day off (and it sort of is!) but only because bank holidays aren't really a thing in my office. We get them added to our annual leave, and can just take them whenever we want. So most people work bank holidays, and have an extra week at a different point in the year.

I am probably not a hugely sensible person to ask because I have a super flexible employer and I would do 8 and a bit hours 7 days a fortnight and have every Friday and EO Monday off.

My kids are not currently primary school age though so potentially more difficult if you have a school run to do.

I do these exact hours. I do 8 hour Mon Tue and wed and 6 hours on a Thursday. Fridays off because that’s the day kids usually have praise assembly etc.

I do 30 hours over 5 days.

Mon & Fri - 9am-12:45pm (no lunch)
Tues-Thurs - 9am-5:30pm (1 hour unpaid lunch)

I love having the afternoons off on a Monday and Friday.

Can I have 5 x 12hr shifts over a fortnight please.
Longer days and less of them every time. Yes it's tiring but when was the last time you were out late on Weds evening when you've work next day?

Oops forgot to say why
Less days of sorting work clothes
Less packups to prepare
Less travel, parking, scraping windows etc
Time to start a project n finish eg decorate the living room
Free time in the week when town isn't busy/full

I live alone, kids grown so would go out with friends more.
If I had family I might feel different because I'd fear my day off would get used up with chores but ......could give me a fun day with baby?!

Op I don't think anyone answered your query around bank Holidays. They are actually pro rota, therefore working part time means you aren't entitled to have them all paid for. If your place of work is closed, you obviously have to be off, therefore once you run out if BH hours, you need to eat into your AL allowance to cover them. This can be annoying as it gives you less time to take when you want.

Obviously not all fall on a Monday do it mightnt turn into a huge issue, but it's definitely something to consider.

I work 30hrs over 4 days on a random shift basis that includes weekends and BH (NHS) - my fave week is Mon, Tues, Thurs Fri

7.5 x4 with Friday off. I like having a full day off before the weekend to run errands and pop to the shop etc and like having a dedicated chunk of time for work then home so I can really get into each. Having a Wednesday off for example would feel too bitty to me.