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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What day off? 4 day week pattern

68 replies

Yummyyummyinmytummy · 26/05/2023 21:52

I am starting to work soon part time, 4 days a week. I used to work full time forever but having two young kids and full time is not going well for us. So, it’s time for part time!

I can choose any day of the week I want to take off but I need to pick one and stick with it.

For those of you that have worked part time what would you suggest?

It can’t be a Monday as we have a key meeting on Mondays plus I will miss all bank holidays.

I am thinking either Wednesdays to break the week in two small halves or Fridays that is generally a quiet day at work and it will give me a good early start for the weekend.

YABU - Wednesday is better
YANBU - Friday is better

OP posts:
Freshstarts22 · 26/05/2023 21:55

For me, my AL and BH entitlement is worked out pro rata and then combined. Then any bank holidays that fall on my working days come off of my allowance. So it’s better for me to not work Mondays.

Cotswoldmama · 26/05/2023 21:56

I do a 4 day week and Tuesday is my day off. I like it because it breaks the week up but also means when there's a bank holiday I get a really long weekend!

UndercoverCop · 26/05/2023 21:57

I work full time over 4 days, I have Fridays off, I get any jobs/grocery shopping/household bits done and a gym class, feels great going into the weekend without loads of stuff to do.

EsmeSusanOgg · 26/05/2023 21:57

So, Monday gives you more A/L once pro-rated over the year. Which is why it is such a popular non-work day. The next best day in terms of A/L is Friday. Monday/ Friday. Not Wednesday!

wildfirewonder · 26/05/2023 21:57

I'd have Weds or Friday.

dementedpixie · 26/05/2023 21:58

Monday would be the best to not work as you need to use your leave to cover Monday bank holidays whereas if you don't work it you get the pro rata leave added to your entitlement to take when you choose.

Apart from that it really doesn't make a difference which day you choose.

JJJSchmidt · 26/05/2023 21:58

I çurrently have Wednesdays off which I love because it gives me a chance to 'reset', especially useful.if the weekend has been busy and I have had the chance to do shopping etc. Ìt also gives toddler dd a down day which she desperately needs. However when she goes to school I am hoping to switch to a Friday which is when most school events seem to happen.

Original poster
Yummyyummyinmytummy · 26/05/2023 21:58

@UndercoverCop this is what I am thinking too. But it 4 days in a row plus childcare in the evenings doable? It must be as so many people do it…

OP posts:
EsmeSusanOgg · 26/05/2023 21:58

Freshstarts22 · 26/05/2023 21:55

For me, my AL and BH entitlement is worked out pro rata and then combined. Then any bank holidays that fall on my working days come off of my allowance. So it’s better for me to not work Mondays.

This is standard for most part time roles where you get all BHs off.

DelphiniumBlue · 26/05/2023 21:59

I used to find a day off midweek made it all feel manageable.

Bobbybobbins · 26/05/2023 21:59

Think it depends on kids' ages. If pre-school I would have Weds off to have a break from childcare etc. if school age I would go for Friday.

Original poster
Yummyyummyinmytummy · 26/05/2023 22:01

@Bobbybobbins why for school age you would suggest Fridays? My kids are preschool by the way but it would be good to know for future years

OP posts:
WillYouDoTheFandango · 26/05/2023 22:01

I have Wednesday. It’s amazing - you only have to get through 2 days before a day off. And you can do a quick top up on the housework/washing/cooking. I love it. Plus lots of school stuff (sports days etc) at DS’ school fall on weds so I can go.

dementedpixie · 26/05/2023 22:01

EsmeSusanOgg · 26/05/2023 21:57

So, Monday gives you more A/L once pro-rated over the year. Which is why it is such a popular non-work day. The next best day in terms of A/L is Friday. Monday/ Friday. Not Wednesday!

It doesn't give you more annual leave as you should still get the same number of days off.

Not working a Monday gives more choice about when to take your leave as you don't need to allocate leave to the bank holiday Mondays.

Dixiechickonhols · 26/05/2023 22:01

I have had Fri and a weds off. Massively preferred Weds. 2 and 2 is so much easier. Food prep sun and weds.

Bridgingthefeckingmassivegap · 26/05/2023 22:03

I have a Wednesday off with DD and a Friday earlier finish (2-3hrs while she's still in nursery) which is amazing!

The biggest benefit for me of the Wednesday is that meal prep only needs to go 2 nights ahead at any given time, so when little one is ill or whatever, it's not such a steep hill. Also if they are off nursery, sods law it'll be middle of the week it hits rather than end of the week!

Wednesday is much quieter for most classes/swimming/soft play etc. Friday is almost as busy as the weekend where I live.

EsmeSusanOgg · 26/05/2023 22:06

dementedpixie · 26/05/2023 22:01

It doesn't give you more annual leave as you should still get the same number of days off.

Not working a Monday gives more choice about when to take your leave as you don't need to allocate leave to the bank holiday Mondays.

Show quote history

That is what I meant, A+ pedantry but you are correct. By choosing a non-work day that has a lot of bank holidays on it, you do not have to use your pro-rated leave to have those days off..

I personally prefer to pick when my A/L is taken as much as possible. Which is why Monday, or second choice Friday is when I would pick.

Blarn · 26/05/2023 22:07

I have found that whenever I've taken a Monday off, hairdressers are closed, local small businesses are closed, cafes closed! Although not having to get up for work on Monday morning is great, I'd go with Wednesday. Break the week up and two full days to work.

GoalShooter · 26/05/2023 22:07

I work 4 days and have Fridays off. It's nice because most part timers have Fridays, so you may have some friends you can meet up with? Also I think maybe it affects your career less?? As Friday doesn't seem like such an important day to miss.

I've done Wed in the past and I like that too!

HunterHearstHelmsley · 26/05/2023 22:15

It's a shame Monday isn't an option as you'd gain extra leave because of the bank holidays. Out of Wednesday and Friday, I'd choose Wednesday off. The maximum amount of leave loss.

Paddingtonsmarmlade · 26/05/2023 22:16

As you can't do Monday I'd do Friday, school often tag training days before or after holidays on Monday or Friday. Some schools finish early on the Friday each week or on last day of term. Assembly prise giving/ sports days/come in and see your kids classroom are usually on Fridays for my kids school. Also more than one school around here doesn't do wrap around on Friday after school.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 26/05/2023 22:17

HunterHearstHelmsley · 26/05/2023 22:15

It's a shame Monday isn't an option as you'd gain extra leave because of the bank holidays. Out of Wednesday and Friday, I'd choose Wednesday off. The maximum amount of leave loss.

Minimum!

It would only ever be Christmas Day/New Year's Day, Friday has Good Friday in the mix too.

gabsdot45 · 26/05/2023 22:19

I take Wednesday off. I find it breaks up the week and I get to have a rest mid week.
Also I don't miss too much as it's easy to get back into things on Thursday.

unicorncrumble · 26/05/2023 22:21

It working Wednesdays is the holy grail of all working patterns IMO. You only ever work 2 days at a time.
Mondays - no, bank holidays
Fridays - doss day anyways, most people have given up by 3 so work the day it'll be an easy one
Tuesdays or Thursdays - would be ok too.

Ginola2345 · 26/05/2023 22:21

I would have 1) Friday as first preference then 2) Wednesday. Where I work if you work a Monday you have to book annual leave for every bank holiday that falls on a Monday so you get less flexible annual leave.

If you work at the end of the week you have more flexible annual leave. But thinking longer term most people take adhoc annual leave days on a Friday so it maybe difficult to book annual leave in the future especially if someone else was to opt for part time with a Friday off.

I work three days my days off (not by choice) are Monday and Tuesday (not the best) as since covid a lot of hairdressers, beauticians, restaurants and other places in my area aren’t open on Mondays and Tuesdays and other friends who work part time are all off on Fridays so I rarely get to see them. I am full of beans after the weekend off and at the start of the school week but come the end of the week I am more tired.

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