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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask which 2 weekdays you’d have as NWDs.

26 replies

Poppinpop · 15/01/2025 16:07

Considering my flexible working request for when I’m back at work. Which 2 weekdays would you request off and why?

My DM has Monday Tuesday off, so she thinks I should take different days off so that DD needs to be in childcare less- even though DM wouldn’t have her full time, she may have her on half days. I can see benefit in having at least one of those days off too to 1) see DM and 2) be able to get jobs done round the house or nip to an appointment if DM wants to spend time with DD

Fridays are usually more relaxed and fun in my office anyway so wouldn’t really want a Friday as a NWD.

Is it best to have your two NWDs consecutively or spread out?

OP posts:
LegoBingo · 15/01/2025 16:08

Monday and Wednesday/Thursday if you're not going to have Friday and get free choice. Friday is better for the long weekend but you don't seem to care about that

Original poster
Poppinpop · 15/01/2025 16:09

LegoBingo · 15/01/2025 16:08

Monday and Wednesday/Thursday if you're not going to have Friday and get free choice. Friday is better for the long weekend but you don't seem to care about that

Edited

Does spacing them out make the week feel disjointed or a nice break do you think?

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 15/01/2025 16:09

How likely are you to want a long weekend away? It depends on what you have planned going forward before your DD starts school. Santa etc weekends need a Friday or Monday.

hummingbird12 · 15/01/2025 16:12

I have done Thursday/ Friday and now do Monday/friday. It works really well for either if we ever want a weekend away I don't need to take AL.
I would personally have Friday off than have slightly relaxed day at work

Frostine · 15/01/2025 16:12

I preferred Friday's & Monday and worked longer days so I could finish at 3pm on a Thursday.
Do what suits you.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 15/01/2025 16:14

I'm a firm believer of Monday and Tuesday off - weds and Thurs in the office and a relaxed Friday with a 4pm finish

It's basically 5 relaxing days

Not sure how it would work for you though

Crunchymum · 15/01/2025 16:14

Ignore me, I see your mum isn't having DC on her days off.

I'd take Monday and Friday off, assuming you get BH days back of course!

Harriethulas · 15/01/2025 16:28

I have Mon and Weds off, it’s fantastic. Sounds silly but I can’t even imagine doing a block of 3 days on the trot now, it’s so nice to know you’re only ever 1 day or 2 days away from another day off!

NotThoseKindOfEggs · 15/01/2025 16:32

Controversial, but I used to have Tuesdays and Thursdays off so it meant I was only ever facing a 1-day run of working days. I didn’t need time off right after the weekend and I had lots of time to catch up on personal things throughout the week. It also meant that If DC was ill, they’d usually be recovered by the next working day. Yes, long weekends needed annual leave but realistically how often do you get away vs a regular week?

GinToBegin · 15/01/2025 16:39

I used to WFH home on Thursdays, and loved it. I went from feeling clapped out on Fridays to feeling fully refreshed just for having one day without the commute - and my commute wasn’t bad, by any means.

In your position, I’d go with Tuesday or Wednesday plus Thursday.

LegoBingo · 15/01/2025 17:49

Poppinpop · 15/01/2025 16:09

Does spacing them out make the week feel disjointed or a nice break do you think?

Show quote history

Depends on your role. I found a break meant I didn't miss as much and people could handle me not being in one day. Downside is people wouldn't deal with stuff themselves when they could and possibly would have if it were a 2 working day gap. Very much role dependent

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 15/01/2025 17:52

I would do mon/Tues, or Fri/Mon or Thurs/Fri. Definitely do it so you do your 3 days in a row

canipetthatdawggg · 15/01/2025 17:52

Always pick Monday because of the bank holidays (more leave!). I think I'd pick Friday so that I was working 3 days in a row.

biscuitsandbooks · 15/01/2025 17:56

Monday and Friday, or Monday and Tuesday.

Always a Monday so you get the bank holidays as extra annual leave.

AcrossthePond55 · 15/01/2025 18:07

I'd take Friday and Monday for the long weekend. If not, then I'd do Monday and Wednesday.

Wednesday to break up the work week. The reason for doing Monday of is (this is US so YMMV): I worked a compressed schedule and my day off was Monday. What was nice was that since in the US, most holidays are celebrated on Mondays, I got the Tuesday off 'in lieu of' my regular Monday off. Since your bank holidays are Monday, this may work for you, too.

BeaLola · 15/01/2025 18:08

Depends how your work treat Bank Holidays - at mine we get pro-rata BHols but if any of my working days fall on a B Hol I have to cover with leave allowance.

I don't work Mondays as it's useful not having to cover BH Mondays of which there's a few with leave allowance plus in the summer I do love it that I don't have an early work start on a Monday so can really enjoy my Sundays.

I currently work Wed Thurs and Friday

PickleBranst · 15/01/2025 18:11

I'd take Thurs and Fri off. Friday may be a relaxed day to be at work but it's also the day you're least 'missed', the other days seem more important to be present.

IsawwhatIsaw · 15/01/2025 18:28

I have Thursday and Friday, makes it a nice long weekend

AngelinaFibres · 15/01/2025 18:29

Friend worked Monday Tuesday and Friday. Had Wed and Thursday off. She said she got a 'Friday' feeling on Tues afternoon and then another Friday feeling on actual Friday. Very useful for taking deliveries, booking tradesmen , hair , nails etc. Her children were at school so long weekends were out anyway.

TwirlyPineapple · 15/01/2025 18:35

I work three days a week and my ideal would be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

I currently work Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. I'd prefer Fridays off as it's when my friends are off with their children, but it is nice never working more than two days in a row.

I avoid Mondays when working part time because it means I get extra days of free choice holiday to use (I work 0.6 so I get 4.8 bank holidays added to my normal holiday).

HappyMummaOfOne · 15/01/2025 18:51

Depends on if your work gives you bank holidays off. As most bank holidays are a Monday I choose to work these and have a Tuesday and Thursday off. This means in a “normal” week I work Monday/Wednesday and Friday but on weeks where there is a bank holiday I only have to work a Wednesday and Friday which is lovely.

Sunnnybunny72 · 15/01/2025 18:54

Have a Monday then you don't have to use any of your leave for Bank Holiday Mondays and have more choice where to use it.

ARichtGoodDram · 15/01/2025 18:58

Mondays and Fridays. Then you benefit from bank holiday hours rather than lose hours from your holidays.

user2848502016 · 15/01/2025 19:03

I used to have Mondays and Fridays then switched to Wednesday and Friday because it worked better with work with not being away for 2 consecutive working days, and actually I preferred it home wise too so I had a break midweek to catch up on laundry and housework. DCs were then only in childcare 2 days in a row rather than 3.
When I went up to 4 days I kept Wednesday as my non working day and I really liked it.
One thing you might want to consider is whether your DM would have your DC if they were sick and couldn't go to nursery? That could be a big help if you have different days off to her.

Eldermillenialyogi · 15/01/2025 20:05

I tried Wednesday thinking it would be good to have a break in the middle of the week but I now have Fridays off and it works well as things tend to be quieter on a Monday.

I don't think Fridays are the fun day any more in our office as most people WFH.

If not Friday I'd do Monday.