3 day vs 4 day.....

[LaCiccolina]

Hey, I saw a friend this week who was cockahoop at getting a 3day week sorted. (I was jealous as Im doing 4 days as I didn't think my employer would approve 3) Anyway, she said she went for 3 days as in 4 days you would be expected to do 5 days work in 4 or would feel guilt tripped into that. Whats others experiences? Just curious, I hadn't thought of it this way. It was just a way to get a shorter week I thought might be approved....now Im a bit worried....

I went to a new job after mat leave on 4 days and I took over an existing job and caseload that had always previously been done by a full-timer. So in my experience yes, I was expected to do 5 days in 4. I lasted 6 months and finished yesterday - thank goodness!

Not all jobs are the same though, you don't know how yours will work out until you try it.

All depends on you workplace I guess.
At my previous workplace the woman who did 4 days didn't seem to get any reduction in her workload, whereas I did for 3 days. Admittedly i was disparagingly known forever as The Part Timer, but the woman who did 4 days really seemed rushed off her feet, and would possibly have been better doing 5 days with some working from home.

However, I am now in a different team, where there are 2 4 day weekers who do get a fair caseload reduction.

I work 3 days a week in the same job I previously did full time. Three days a week is perfect - I spend more time at home with the DCs than at work (this is my priority), but am at work enough to get a decent job done, but little enough for people to grasp that I am part time.

Everyone I know who has worked a 4 day week (in many different settings and for different employers) has ended up doing a 5 day job, just on 80% pay.

Mmm yeah I didn't think about it. I just went for what I knew they couldn't refuse. F it. I'll try it. Guess see what happens....let ya know in a few weeks.....lol?!?

i went from 3 days to 4 because on less it felt like nothing got done and that what did get done took more than twice as long as it should. 4 days felt like i was able to accomplish stuff and still have breathing room. I'm about to start a new job on 4-days so will see if they're expecting 5 days for 4... We'll see.