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Original poster

Going part time - which day to have off?

105 replies

Hidingawaytoday · 08/05/2022 15:13

My mat leave is finishing soon and I'm planning to go back 4 days a week. For those that do this, which day do you recommend taking off? I was thinking Friday's for the long weekend?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hidingawaytoday · 08/05/2022 18:42

Thanks all - some interesting points to think about. I don't work bank holidays so having the extra leave would be good.... but then lots of things are shut on a Monday round here which would limit what we can do. I'm pretty sure my work will agree to whatever I ask for (assuming it's relatively sensible). A break on Wednesday would also be nice but might mean I'm never in complete work mode... argh!

OP posts:
ElephantandGrasshopper · 08/05/2022 18:59

I used to have Mondays off because it meant I got extra leave in lieu of bank holidays. Now the children are both at school I do 5 short days instead, and really miss my day off. If I could have a day off now though it would be Fridays because there are so many school activities (special assemblies etc) that seem to happen on Fridays.

SneezesHaveStarted · 08/05/2022 19:02

I used to have Mondays off. Switched to Friday and have like a whole week extra holiday a year because I get the bank holidays now, making those weeks 3-day weeks!

Rainbowqueeen · 08/05/2022 19:08

I have Thursday off because it was the day I was the most tired and the grumpiest - I started with Wednesday but Thursday worked much better for me.

Many people have Friday off so if you have friends or family that you would want to socialise with on that day, take that into account. Also is there a particular day of the week that DC at school have inset dates? Choosing that day can mean you can cover it with no changes to your routine

Kite22 · 08/05/2022 19:13

Mondays.
It makes Sunday into a lovely relaxing day
Places are quieter on Mondays (if you want to book appts for things like a hair cut or dental appt).
Don't know why, but near hear there seem to be more baby groups / stay and plays etc on a Monday (that might just be here)
You still get 3 days in a row

Overwhelmingly, the Bank Holiday / Annual leave thing. Remember 4 BHs are always on a Monday. 3 move and 1 is on a Friday.

ohidoliketobe · 08/05/2022 19:17

Thursday for me. It wasn't my initial choice but has worked out fantastic and I love it. 3 solid days get the bulk of work done, and as pp have said Fridays are a good day to work as people are in a good mood. I get a lot of little niff naff jobs jobs finished up and sort my to do list.
If I want a long weekend, I book the Friday off and get a 4 day break.
Word of warming r.e. Mondays - I had a few months with them off and hated it. If you're hoping to use it as an extra day to get stuff done, many businesses (especially hairdressers and beauty salons) aren't open on Mondays. Ime GP surgeries also don't release many routine appointments on Mondays as so many people need same day appointments after the weekend so they clear the books clear for those.

fizzyfood · 08/05/2022 19:18

Wednesday. Only work two days in a row. Gives you time to catch up.

Hercisback · 08/05/2022 19:20

DH has Tuesday off and loves it.

It does mean BHs come from his holiday allowance but every BH is a 4 day weekend and 3 day working week. He gets through Monday, has a nice day, then only 3 days til the weekend.

Depends on your priorities.

LethargeMarg · 08/05/2022 19:22

Wednesday. Breaks up the week. Always busiest day on the roads (fact) never work more than two days in a row. I actually like working Fridays as everyone's in a good mood and roads are quieter

Veralil · 08/05/2022 19:26

Wednesday is a brilliant day to have off. I did this in a job once and you can face the start of the working week, only 2 days then you can have a drink/ go out late on a tuesday night. Then you go in on a thursday and only have to do that day and the next before it is the weekend. Use your leave wisely by adding the day after a bank holiday and get 5 consecutive days off. Highly recommend a wednesday!

Southeastdweller · 08/05/2022 19:27

I used to have Fridays off to have a long weekend but pretty soon I realised that many other people like that day off so combined with living in a big city popular with tourists, Friday's felt like a slightly less busy Saturday. Monday's are the way to go so there's no Sunday night dreads and being out and about feels pleasurable.

RausageSoul · 08/05/2022 19:27

Thursday! Weds feels like a Friday and Fridays are usually nice days!

Xmasbaby11 · 08/05/2022 19:29

I have Fridays off. Completely love it....every weekend is a long weekend!

And you get all the Bh Mondays off. They don't come out of my leave so you're definitely better off having Monday as a working day.

Fedupsotired · 08/05/2022 19:30

Is there a day which your friends have off? We tend to all have a Friday off round here which means we meet for coffee etc.

When mine were younger I took the day off that she had an activity I wanted to take her too

20viona · 08/05/2022 19:32

I have Fridays off and I love it. Get all my
Washing and cleaning done so I can enjoy the weekend.

Xmasbaby11 · 08/05/2022 19:33

Friday also great for inset days and weekends away leaving straight after school.

Plus it's a popular day off so I've always had plenty of friends off if I want to meet up.

I keep thinking about going back ft but would seriously miss my day off!

Xmasbaby11 · 08/05/2022 19:34

Friday also great for inset days and weekends away leaving straight after school.

Plus it's a popular day off so I've always had plenty of friends off if I want to meet up.

I keep thinking about going back ft but would seriously miss my day off!

3luckystars · 08/05/2022 19:34

Not Monday
Not Friday

Mondays are a mistake because of the bank holidays
Fridays are an easy day and everyone is happy and sometimes finish early

any mid week day is good. Tuesday is the best day because on a bank holiday, you are not back to work until Wednesday. Good luck!!!

OverByYer · 08/05/2022 19:36

monday. Get a long weekend and Monday is always the busiest day.

RedRobin100 · 08/05/2022 19:40

When I went back after my first mat leave I took Monday’s off for a while whilst transitioning back in.
I didn’t really like it as I felt quite a bit on the back foot then starting on Tuesday, when clients had already been in touch on Monday, or work had been set for doing ASAP on the Friday etc., so depends on the nature of your job also I think (I’m a lawyer).

I want to go back after this may leave and take Fridays off. A lot still happens on a friday, but a lot of people in my work take it off, so feels like a better flat to not be in - you won’t be the only one not working/available etc.
I know it will mean working a bit longer on the Thursday or whatever to prep for not being there Friday however.

cherrypiepie · 08/05/2022 19:41

I have Monday off. I work in as school where only May bank holiday is a a statutory holiday that in term time. Christmas, new year, Easter fall in school holidays.

Except this year. Where the ALL fell term time. The Monday before we all went back. Confused

I do like Monday though as long weekends are good and hotels cheap Sunday and can Get a cheaper term time deal holiday by going Monday to Monday.

Practically Monday is good to catch up with week end left over jobs and means less pressure on the weekend. Down side is that lots of leisure abs retail places don't open Mondays.

It's my headspace. I'm currently back full time and I can't handle it!

PortalooSunset · 08/05/2022 19:41

Monday. You're already off so won't need to pay nursery for days they're not open (bank holiday). 3 day weekend every week. And for me it's a day to recover after the weekend!

Hardbackwriter · 08/05/2022 19:59

DH and I both work a four day week and my day off is Friday and his is Wednesday. He absolutely loves having a Wednesday and his mid-week 'mini weekend'! I was told it was Friday or nothing for me and it makes sense in my organisation but if I could pick freely I'd choose a Monday - I like having a long weekend but Friday was always a quieter day at work with a chance to catch-up with yourself and fewer meetings (which is exactly why I was told it was the day I could have off) and I really feel not having that, I think it contributes a lot to me never feeling completely on top of things.

AIPS · 08/05/2022 20:01

PukkaP · 08/05/2022 15:18

I have Wednesday, never more than 2 consecutive days at work

Me too, it’s great

Shouldbedoing · 08/05/2022 20:02

I'd go with Monday off. Everyone wants Friday but on a Monday you can set yourself and the house up for the week and it stays OK, tidy on a Friday and it's trashed by Sunday. Plus you can feel privately smug on Sunday night. And the Bank Holiday stuff

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