Return to work hours - WWYD?

[Madmaxxy]

Work have said no to my request for condensed hours (5 days in 4) but would be supportive of me moving to a 4 day contract.

Taking Into account the cost of nursery for that extra day vs. my take home pay I would be only be £40 a week better off if I work and send her to nursery. (And taking into account partners contribution to childcare of course)

I think I'd prefer to take the £40 hit and spend that extra day with my daughter at least until she starts school. The way I see it I've got my whole life to make money but this time with her at this age is so short in the grand scheme of things. Mortgage and bills wise we can afford it but we would have to cut back on little treats (I'm quite careful with money anyway)

WWYD?

In the end no-one can make this decision for you

To make it manageable you have to be confident you can cut your workload to fit into the time available, that’s the main risk

I'd do it if you are young enough to make up your pension contributions later. I've only worked 22.5/24 hours a week since having DD but pay £250 (15% I think) a month into my pension now.

You could do 4 days now and then change something when DC starts school & childcare is cheaper

I did 4 days per week before they went to school.

I'd generally sway towards having the time with your daughter as they are young for such a short time.

Main considerations would be finances (sounds like you have) and whether you would be expected to fit a full time workload into 4 days (depends on the sort of job you do). Could your partner condense hours? We did this and it worked really well when my work wanted me to return on 3 days instead of the 2 I initially wanted. Do you plan on having any more children, particularly a small gap? I know nothing is guaranteed but in that case it might be worth going back on more hours than you planned if another maternity leave isn't far away then reducing hours after that.

Be careful you don’t end up with the same workload so are trying to do a full time job in part time hours

I would go for the 4 days a week, if it doesn't work out it is usually pretty easy to increase hours - reducing them is the challenge.

I would go back full time, see how you get on and reduce to 4 days if needed. Depends on your industry but for many I think it would be harder to increase your hours again if you change your mind after reducing them, as the budget may have been moved elsewhere.

I'm glad they said no to 5 days in 4 - honestly it doesn't work for either party!

4 days a week is my biggest luxury jn life, especially when children are little. Can't recommend it enough.

I've waited 10 years for this baby and I want to soak it all up before she starts school! My husband will be paying into a pension for me and my forecast is fine I have many more years to reach the threshold. I will also be able to re-enter the job market at a similar grade in five years. Hopefully I have everything covered! So basically I have chosen not to go back either.

I hope you come to a decision you're happy with.

I do 4 days and I really value my 1 day a week with 2yr old DD. Weekends tend to be busy seeing family and friends and it gives us the opportunity to do ‘life’ things - it’s nothing crazy but we bake, go to the library, that sort of thing. We’re looking into the feasibility of DH cutting down to 4 days as well (he and I earn the same) so he gets a day with her to hang out too :)

When she starts school I’m hoping to make my 1 day off a week into two half days a week (so instead of having Mondays off, having Monday and Tuesday afternoon off). If DH can do the same, it means we’d only need one day a week of wraparound care which would almost get rid of childcare costs for us - in the longer term it means we’re saving a lot more cash even if we’re having to take a financial hit in the short term.

Go back full time and see how you get on as doing 4 days part time you'll still be expected to do a full time job probably but in less hours and less money.

I do 5 days compressed into 4 and works really well, what was their reasons for saying no?

Problem is offering you 4 days part time savea them money but doesn't help you

Absolutely, go for it. Most mothers I know reduced their hours after having DC. It's lovely to have a weekday to go to parks, groups, play dates etc when older kids are at school and everything is a bit quieter.

I think a 4day work week is the future for everyone, to be honest!

Thanks everyone - workload is indeed a big consideration. I've always been quite good with maintaining boundaries between work and home. The way I see it, they obviously don't have a problem with me not being there on one day (hence yes to 4 days) so if I end up with so much work that I'm essentially doing condensed hours I will put the case together to be paid for that. Otherwise they're having their cake and eating it!

Personally I would go for the four days in this scenario.

What's was their reason for not wanting the condensed hours? Does your DH have any flexibility? Both DH and I do condensed hours but 10 days in 9 with alternate Fridays off. It works well as we both get time with DC, days aren't really too much longer and no drop in wages.

4 days is so much better than 5 days condensed into 4. Otherwise your going to be on long hours 4 days so also miss mornings and evenings with child.

Honestly if you can afford to 4 day weeks is the way to go. You get a much better work to life balance.

@Madmaxxy in some ways 4 days non condensed is better because you can remind yourself- and them - if required, that Friday is your Non paid day so you wouldn't work on it same as you wouldn't work on a Saturday or Sunday.