What day off would you have?

[EmmaStone]

I've just been offered a job which Im going to take, and they've agreed to 4 days. I currently have Fridays off, but they've asked I take a different day as my line manager would have Fridays and they want cover across the department.

At the moment Im considering Mondays (so no BH issues, and effectively I should win in terms of holiday entitlement), or maybe Wednesdays to break up the week. But Mondays can also be a bit rubbish - some businesses can be closed etc.

What would you choose and why?

I used to have a Wednesday off and it really helped break up the week. Now have Fridays off which is great but I find if I go out anywhere, it's always busier.

I'd prefer Tuesday. Every bank holiday you get a really nice break.
But I'd take Mondays if you get a day in lieu for bank holiday. If not, then Tuesday.

Mondays because you still benefit from bank holiday entitlement- but get to choose when you take that time!

I used to have Mondays off and I liked having an extra bit of weekend, but some museums, some cafes, the library etc were shut. I then had Wednesdays which I liked because you never got too tired or fed up of work, and felt like you didn't really miss anything because you were there for the start and end of the week.

After trying various days off (4 day worker here) I have settled on Mondays and very happy with it. Gives me a long weekend and before people miss me too much I am back on Tuesday and can respond to their requests. Tried Fridays but never worked well - it's a day when most people work 'lightly' and I felt like I was taking a paycut for nothing. Also working on Fridays helps me get organised for the next week so I don't think about work at all on Monday as I know I have everything planned out. Plus the BH advantage!

Definitely a Monday as a regular day off. If I take a odd day's holiday to break up school holidays I sometimes go for Monday, sometimes Wednesday but wouldn't do Wednesday regularly, a long weekend would win.

I have 2 half days off and love it. On those days I wfh. Is that an option? I have Monday and Thursday afternoons off and it breaks the week nicely.

I have Tuesdays off . Monday never feels so bad because it is only one day and then the rest of the week feels shorter as Friday still had the Friday feeling .

I WFH permanently now and currently have Tuesdays off and I love it. Bank holidays I wouldn’t work on anyway so looking forward to having 4/5 days off on the trot over the April/May bank holidays.

It’s means I work on Monday and instead of feeling like a weeks slog ahead, have the next day off, then back on Wednesday and it’s feels much closer to Friday!

Snap! @splashinginpuddles15 I sometimes forget I’m off the next day on a Monday so it’s a lovely realisation at the end of the day!

I'd take wed as having manager off then you off might prove tricky and delay important conversations.

I’d take a Wednesday off. Only two days to work before having a day off, can keep the house nicer by having a mid week cleaning session as well as a weekend one. Plus shops etc are quieter mid week, a lot of people take long weekends throughout the year so Fridays and Mondays tend to be busier in shops, gyms, cafes etc.

I have had both Mondays and Fridays off in the last few years. Monday is much better. It means that Sunday isn't ruined by thinking about and getting ready for work. Also I get a lot more done on a Monday.
When I had Fridays off I didn't do much. It seemed like I was just waiting for Saturday to happen.

Definitely Mondays. WHen I was able to choose my WFH days I always chose Monday, I never felt like going into the office after prepping for the workweek on Sunday. Plus traffic where I live is worse on Mondays and I'd rather not be in it if possible.

I used to do a four day week. Everyone wanted a Friday or Monday off so that they had a long weekend.

I asked if I could have a Wednesday. It's great as you never work more than two days at a time.

However, I did ask for the chance of being able to take an odd Friday or Monday if I wanted a long weekend. However, I didn't bother in the end!

@PixieDreams

I used to love having Wednesday off. It broke the week up nicely and gave it balance.

Yep. I work 32 hours, so still considered full time but I have Wednesdays off. I end up working at least one every 2 months, to cover annual leave, but I love my Wednesdays. I can get stuff done, or I can sit around and chill in a quiet house. It makes the week much easier to handle, I really feel it when I've had to work it!

Monday. You should get the bank Holidays back.

Definitely Monday, I have to use less leave to cover the bank holidays now

@Iheartmysmart

I used to have Wednesday as my day off. It was great, whenever there was a bank holiday weekend I’d book the Tuesday as leave and have a nice 5 day break and only use 1 day’s holiday.

Why have I never thought of this?! Tuesday is the only day my colleague and I both work (same role), so I can take it off without needing to organise cover. Genius!

I think a mid week day off is better. Friday doesn't feel like a day off as you may do food shopping or cleaning. Also, cafes and shops are crowded on Fridays.

I think Wed or Thurs off is ideal. Cafes and shops are quieter. You can get errands done in town and drive from A to B quicker as less traffic. It is a rest mid week. You can do a small clean.

I think having Fri or Mon off can still feel like a slog as you are facing 4 days at once.

Wednesdays are good as you don't miss much

I've tried Tues, Weds and Thursdays. For me, Wednesdays were the best. You go back to work and you've only ever got to work tomorrow before you have a day off.
The only "Con" I can think of is that Thursday is a bit like a second Monday as there's a bit of a backlog to come into, but countered by Tuesday being a second Friday!

I'm full time again now but if I got the option to condense my hours, I'd go back to workfree Wednesdays.

I have a Thursday off and it’s great. It gives you Mondays to get focussed and start the week and a good 3 day run of days to get stuff done, but then Wednesday feels like a mini-Friday night. Then back in for a Friday which always feels fine because Fridays are more chilled days. Also, take a Friday off for annual leave and you’ve got a four day weekend.

Bank holiday Monday EVERY SINGLE WEEK - yes please

I'm putting in a request to reduce my hours and work 4 days and was just coming on here to ask about why Mondays off could be good or bad. I was convinced I wanted a Monday off but having read the thread I'd move to a weds if Monday wasn't possible!

In my job I'm likely to have to work a full week at different times of the year when we are extra busy and would prefer to get paid rather than take the time later (as I think that will mean work will stack up when I take the 'extra' time back). What are peoples thoughts on that? Sorry for hijack...