Is it best working shorter days or less days?

[FlissL]

Hi all

I am hoping when I go back to work next month, I can work my hours so I either work five days a week and finish early every day, or work say four longer days each week. My question is, what do you ladies think would be best?

Thanks ever so

Four longer days and one whole day off would be my choice! Have they agreed to part time?

One day off definitely.

Is yours the kind of job where you won't be disturbed on your day off ie you won't be contacted in any way or expected to do anything that day?

If that's the case then 4 days might work.

I've done both and at the moment prefer working shorter days every day because I usually need to respond to some thing or other even if I have a day off. Plus I can keep up wth everything that way rather than catch up on the day I'm back at work and it means I can work around children's schedule and be with them after school, every day.

Works well for me but I know more people who are having a full day off and they prefer it that way.

Good luck either way!

as a childminder i would err towards shorter days as days away from home can seem long for young children, getting tired towards end of day etc

If you pay for child care then 5 short days will probably cost the same as 5 full days, whereas 4 days will definitely be cheaper.

I do five short days (DH does 4 long). Today I happened to have a late meeting and paid an extra two hours, so DS was there till 6. I HATE picking him up then straight home for bath and bed. Normally we go to the park, nice tea etx and playing.

So a vote for five short here :)

I have done both and I prefer 4 days -when I did 5 days I pick DCs up around 4.30 ish they were tired and wanted their tea - later is better for me and then a full day off

DH works 8-6 4 days and one off. He much prefers this way.

longer days with a day off, for sure.

I used to do 4 whole days and found it really tough. By the time I'd got the kids fed it was time for bed and I was knackered. I now spread my hours over 5 days (but a bit unevenly, so I still get one afternoon off) and it works much better. It's nice to get kids home and fed at a reasonable hour most days of the week.

Depends on the age of your DCs. If at nursery or CM, do the shorter number of full days. If at school, do more but shorter days, then you can fit your hours into the school day and not have to faff with after school care. Even better then if you can pick and mix, and do shorter days in term time, and the fewer long days in the holidays, as that can reduce holiday club bills.

might depend on your commuting time?

I prefer fewer longer days (my DD is 16 months). She generally copes well with the childminder from 8-6.

Four long days definitely.
When my son was younger I worked 3 days a week now he's at school I work 5 short days and even although it's the same hours I don't feel I have the same 'free' time

I do 4 short days and am paid for 3 full days. It's RUBBISH!

Thx all so much. I have like a 5 minute commute and girls (21 month and 1 month respectively at mo) with mother in law so childcare not an issue. Being disturbed on day off highly likely - I'm a family lawyer. Do you all think five short might be best then? Thx ever so xx

I have found on short days I stay 'a bit longer' to finish stuff & end up working loads of extra hours.

I would prefer longer days and a day off.

Being disturbed on day off highly likely
In that case I would make myself unavailable on my day off.

Yep, fewer days.

Done both,and the day off is much more productive.No travel time at all or cm drop off on that day,so an additional time save. Win win.

I work 8am-1pm five days. I work with vulnerable children and it is better for them to see me every day.

However, I also love my afternoons with DS (20mo) and prefer him to do shorter sessions with his CM.

I can't do the 'I'll just stay and help out/ finish this' thing as I have to pick DS up at 1.

What sort of firm are you at? Do people routinely work a lot longer than their contracted hours anyway? If so, you might find it hard to get away at the end of your 'short' days and find yourself actually only getting out a little before your official finish time.

I used to do four days and, although I was often interrupted on my days off, I found a full day away from work better than a notional short day that would probably not have materialised. Also, a full day lets you have an activity - like swimming or whatever- that you do with them every week. Whereas end of day time tends to be more 'chilling out at home'.

Personally I would vote for four days, then short days once they are at school.

If you're worried about being disturbed on your day off the best thing might be to negotiate leaving an hour early one of the other days, and then agreeing one hour a day that you will work from home on the day off - eg after lunch if your DC are napping. Will give you a chance to sort out anything urgent - and at least you're getting some compensation for it on one of the other days.

But if the work isn't actually that urgent, then just be disciplined about keeping the day off properly off. You can use an email footer that tells people that your usual working days are Mon-Thu (or whatever they are).

I have teh same job - I do 5 shorter days but this works for me because my children are at school - i get to pick them up every day - sometimes I get stuck at Court but not that often and i have childminder on stand by.

Its tough in the holidays but it works for us

As per Skinny.