working 80% - shorter days or less days?

[Frazzled2207]

Two kids, 8 and 6. I left work 4 years ago, have been self employed and now have a 2nd interview for a job back in my original field. I have been very honest about the fact that I think I could struggle with FT (kids still young) but that 80% is, IMO, doable. I previously worked 4dpw and found it a good balance overall. Although I had a set day off there were times they asked me to change my day and this worked ok with me as I occasionally changed my day off too.

Company has very fortunately suggested they are potentially ok with 4 days, but also that 5 shorter days could be a possibility too. Just wondering if anyone has a strong view as to which is better? My main thought is that although 5 shorter days could be generally very good, in holidays 4dpw is going to be easier as less days required to book grandparents/holiday clubs etc. I don't want to have to suggest chopping and changing even though it might ultimately be possible.

(for context I would expect to be in office 1-2 dpw and Wfh the rest of the time. Husband wfh full time and can definitely do some school runs etc but his hours are broadly 9-6)

4 Days, the extra non-working day means you can get more done.

4 days especially if 5 short days mean your still having to use afterschool care.

I would prefer 4 days rather than 5 shorter days

I did 5 shorter days but that meant I could pick up from school every day. I switched to 4 days during the summer holidays every year but my workplace were particularly flexible.

Definitely four days. This is what I do and it makes holiday care so much cheaper.

Absolutely do fewer days

@MrsPnut

I did 5 shorter days but that meant I could pick up from school every day. I switched to 4 days during the summer holidays every year but my workplace were particularly flexible.

This. Plus they know they can get a hold of You every day and not bother you on your day off (as they do). Makes dropping off and picking up easier.

Fewer days - depending on the type of work you do (ie home based) you could end up working longer days on five short days anyway (it’s easier to fall in that habit) and essentially work for free, whereas with a set day off you will be less likely (I never work on my day off, but do have a habit of working late on days I too work).

Consider 3 and 2 half days as an option. It is a bit more structured than 5 shorter days, allows some free time before doing school pickup twice a week.

Even though the overall hours are the same, you won't really feel the benefit of slightly shorter days compared to an entire extra non-working day.

@RodeoGorilla

Fewer days - depending on the type of work you do (ie home based) you could end up working longer days on five short days anyway (it’s easier to fall in that habit) and essentially work for free, whereas with a set day off you will be less likely (I never work on my day off, but do have a habit of working late on days I too work).

Exactly.

I do 4 days. Day off is so much better for getting life admin done and other shite

I do 4 days too. I'd totally waste shorter days and would feel resentful that I was working 80% but not really getting much benefit from it. It's especially hard to have boundaries if you WFH (and if nobody else does shorter hours too)

That seems almost unanimous - thank you
Further conversations to be had I think if this goes further but i can definitely see how it would be easier to be dragged into more hours with shorter days eg with late meetings etc whereas with a day off thats exactly it, no bothering me on that particular day.

Try it and see what works for you. I did full days in one place and after a year the dolt of an MD (who I worked with every day I was in) said to me ‘you do work on Fridays don’t you?’. Nope and that’s why I don’t take your calls on a Friday.

Where I am here it’s short days (so I could do drop off and collection when DS was younger and at a school a fair way away). They do try to sneak extra hours in but if you have a ‘work to rule’ attitude (of course we all work extra when needed) then you can stop at quitting time. Now I use the extra time to run after everyone else 🤨

I work 3 days spread over 5. It means I don't get hammered for bank holidays, and although I don't get a full day off each week I can go off and do things any afternoon.

It also means that when I am in the office I don't have to stay until 5/5.30 but can leave earlier.

@legoriakelne

Even though the overall hours are the same, you won't really feel the benefit of slightly shorter days compared to an entire extra non-working day.

I disagree. If you have a full day off you have a whole day of emails to get through when you log on the next day.

We're all different but working across the week works for me.

I used to do 4 days over 5 (I'm full time now but that's more because of specific role). I thought it was a great balance. I did one full day and four 3/4 days, which meant I could do school pickups etc on those days.
One day at home is good for housework but multiple early finishes better for more time with kids.

I do 80% and have the flexibility to mix and match. My kids do a lot (too many😬) after school activities which require lifts etc so 5 shorter days sometimes works. I do miss a whole day off though. If you can keep the flexibility to review that would be good - when mine were younger 4 9-5.30 days worked fine with after school club etc but now they are 10/12 they need me more early evening and no after sch clubs for the 12 yr old.

Definitely 4 days, fridays of

I've done it both ways. With 4 days over 5, my early finishes often didn't materialise - it was always one more email, get that done, attend this meeting as a 'one off'. I must stress it was me rather than my employer.

This stopped when I did 4 days over 4 - I really HAD to leave to get the kids!

Ditto wfh - I'm not disciplined enough to shut down at 5pm or whatever and often drift back when making tea to see if somethings come in.

By being in the office (well, on campus) I have no desire to crack open the laptop once I'm home!

Reading this back, I clearly need to take myself into a corner and have a word with myself ...

From your point of view, it's nice to have a day off a week to meet a friend for coffee, go for a run, sort out admin etc.

However if your kids do after school activities, it's hard to facilitate them if you're working a full day four days a week. Finishing a couple of hours earlier makes it much easier.

Swings and roundabouts!

@SallyOMalley

I've done it both ways. With 4 days over 5, my early finishes often didn't materialise - it was always one more email, get that done, attend this meeting as a 'one off'. I must stress it was me rather than my employer.

This stopped when I did 4 days over 4 - I really HAD to leave to get the kids!

Ditto wfh - I'm not disciplined enough to shut down at 5pm or whatever and often drift back when making tea to see if somethings come in.

By being in the office (well, on campus) I have no desire to crack open the laptop once I'm home!

Reading this back, I clearly need to take myself into a corner and have a word with myself ...

I think this is my main concern about working shorter days, especially from home. So easy just to stay and do one more email etc Whereas if I had an actual day off I hopefully just wouldn’t log on at all that day

4 days 💯

Fewer days. Always.