Reducing working hours

[Wishimaywishimight]

I am considering seeking a reduction in working hours / compressing 5 days into 4, next year (when the mortgage is due to be paid off).

Just thinking what the implications of this would be;

a) Would a reduction from 37.5 hours to 32 hours equate with a proportionate reduction in salary or would it be perhaps a little less (I am in Ireland, for reference)
b) Other implications are, of course, annual leave and pension.

I will of course discuss this with HR / Salaries Dept if/when the time comes but just looking for anyone in the know who could offer any information?

I have been with my employer for nearly 10 years and am in my early 50s.

Yes you’d expect everything to reduce proportionately. It would be unusual for your salary to go down by less than the proportionate amount but that will be up to your employer.

@flowery. That's fine, totally understandable, I just thought it might be a little less then the exact proportion (due to tax or whatever). I am only considering dropping 5.5 hours so it wouldn't make too much difference salary-wise but would be lovely to have an additional day off!

Oh I see what you mean. Your gross salary will go down proportionally, but net will go down less (if Ireland tax system is similar to UK, where parts of your salary are 20%/40%)

Have you considered compressing 37.5 hours into 4 days if they would allow it? I compress 35 hours into 4 days rather than 5 and get a day off. Previously I've worked a reduction in hours, and still found the workload the same - I'm happier now to do longer days into 4.

[quote Wishimaywishimight]@flowery. That's fine, totally understandable, I just thought it might be a little less then the exact proportion (due to tax or whatever). I am only considering dropping 5.5 hours so it wouldn't make too much difference salary-wise but would be lovely to have an additional day off![/quote]
Oh possibly, no idea about tax I’m afraid. But your salary from your employer will reduce proportionately.

@yoshiblue I work for a great employer, I do think they would consider compressing 5 days into 4 so that is on the table also. It does make the working day almost 2 hours longer but I am currently wfh full time until the end of the year and they are very open to continuing in whatever manner I wish (I am not front facing at all) going forward.

At the same time, I am not averse to working a little less and to be honest I do think that, with a little effort, I could manage my workload in a slightly reduced working week.

I was doing 32 hours (out of 35) for a few years and have recently taken a promotion. I knew at that level I would find it harder to stick just to 32 hours, especially given the role involves calls with a different time zone. I am also predominantly working from home, so now work the extra three hours per week that I 'save' from commuting.

I do feel doing 37.5 rather than 35 hours would be a bit of a push given I have a primary school aged child. Though your circumstances may better allow that.

Good luck with it