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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:
dolphinsarentcommon · 08/05/2022 20:04

Wednesday would prob best for a young child in nursery.

CatsAreDictators · 08/05/2022 20:08

Monday if you normally get bank holidays pro-rata-d and added to your leave allowance.

Clymene · 08/05/2022 20:10

It really depends on the nature of your work. Mine is very deadline driven and deadlines are typically Friday which means that taking Fridays mean you end up working Friday quite often.

I took Wednesdays. It was good to take a breath too in the middle of the week.

MadameDragon · 08/05/2022 20:12

I work 30h but have different days off each week (and some weeks just work shorter days).
Monday–Wednesday I get loads more done. Fridays are harder to motivate yourself to run errands etc

ivykaty44 · 08/05/2022 20:16

Wednesday

Then you'll on ever work two days and have a day off

The advantage of this set up is you can book two days off and have from Friday night until the following Thursday off work - but only use two days holiday. The added advantage is a bank holiday Monday would mean take one day off as annual leave and get 6

It also means that you can catch up with yourself on a Wednesday, nothing piles up to much in two days like it does in 4 days, so you'll not get so bogged down on your days off

Bobbybobbins · 08/05/2022 20:18

Monday, Wednesday or Friday. I think Thursday would be the worst!

shivbo2014 · 08/05/2022 20:18

Have Monday's off. I used to have Monday's and Tuesday off then was in for the last 3 days when everyone is in a better mood. Its nice being in on a Friday if there are any social events and Fridays are a nice day to be in, normally a nice atmosphere. Monday's was when all the s* usually hit the fan from the over the weekend so was quite nice to miss that as well.

Neednewfloor · 08/05/2022 20:21

I have Thursdays off, 3 day week then go in for that nice Friday feeling.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 08/05/2022 20:24

I used to have Wednesdays off. Never more than 2 days away from a day off. But I had school aged kids as well so no real use for long weekends most of the year.

mynameiscalypso · 08/05/2022 20:25

How does your company sort BHs? I work 4 days a week (not on a Thursday) but just have BHs the same days as everyone else so, proportionally, I get a tiny bit more holiday overall. I'd miss out if I had Mondays off. I also love having a Thursday off, I get three good days to get stuff done but I don't have to panic too much because I've always got Friday to catch up. We have a lot of team meetings on a Monday so it would be a pain to miss those

BestIsWest · 08/05/2022 20:26

I’m another Wednesday part timer. Originally it was dictated by business needs but I’ve found I love it.

OceanAtTheEnd · 08/05/2022 20:28

CatsAreDictators · 08/05/2022 20:08

Monday if you normally get bank holidays pro-rata-d and added to your leave allowance.

Yes, this.

It sounds like some workplaces might not do this though, or like there might be some misunderstanding about how this works...?

MrsDeaconClaybourne · 08/05/2022 20:31

I'd definitely go for Wednesday or Thursday unless you'll be having lots of weekends away to take advantage of long weekends. It's good to be in on Mondays to catch up, know what's going on etc then Fridays are also good because everyone is in a good mood.

I briefly did 3 days- Mon, Thurs and Fri. It wasn't through choice but was unexpectedly great and I be more than happy to do it again.

Starlightstarbright1 · 08/05/2022 20:33

I prefer Fridays as hairdressers and.lots of other things are closed Mondays.. that said Fridays traffic us better so i leave home 20 minutes later tgan Mondays but i work in a city

user0512 · 08/05/2022 20:37

I have Wednesdays off. Allows me to catch up on laundry and other chores mid week. Also breaks the week up a bit so it only feels like two days at a time xx

Hesma · 08/05/2022 20:39

I have Wednesday and live it as only ever have to work 2 days before having time at home with DC

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 08/05/2022 20:43

I have Wednesday off. Per pp it’s great only ever working two days in a row, and it’s a day that tends to be quiet for things like dentist, hair etc. I now do a Monday and Tuesday at home, Wednesday off, Thursday and Friday in work, which feels like a really nice balance.

11stonesomething · 08/05/2022 20:45

This reply has been deleted

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

ivegotthisyeah · 08/05/2022 20:47

Mondays off - bank holiday reason and thinking ahead a lot of the teacher training days are on a Monday

Meredusoleil · 08/05/2022 20:57

Definitely Wednesday.

2 on, 1 off, 2 on and 2 off again. What's not to love?

Thursday37 · 08/05/2022 20:59

I don’t work Monday’s, it’s bloody great and at my work advantageous with annual leave as I get given the bank holidays to take when I like.

familyissues12345 · 08/05/2022 21:04

I'm planning on asking to have one of my days off as Monday next year (September)

I like the idea of enjoying Sundays more, if you've had a busy weekend you can catch up on washing/housework etc so don't have to worry over the weekend

Brunonono · 08/05/2022 21:14

Monday.

I like working a Friday - very few meetings so I can actually get things done!

OwlBasket · 08/05/2022 21:22

Wednesday is absolutely the best day off IME. The only day off I’ve not had is Thursday, despite all the team faff and drama that lead to needing to be so flexible that never came up.

Mondays off = feel like I’m starting the work week 2-0 down, always playing catch up. Hard to crack on with housework ‘cause it feels like an extension of the weekend

Tuesdays off = feels ‘lumpy’ and makes Monday feel kind of wasted, despite it not being, just no chance to get into the swing. Fine for home.

Wednesday off = perfect. Well in the flow at work and plenty of time to pick up anything that may have come up while I was away. Great for home and easy to crack on with whatever as ik well in the working swing.

Friday off = miss out on all the relaxed Friday chitchat, anything that comes up has to wait until Monday whilst potentially brewing into a PITA. Also having to miss work events or go in on day off. Both not ideal. Annoying at home because I’m ready for weekend, not more work.

I’m sticking to Wednesday!

StarCourt · 08/05/2022 22:10

I've requested to work 4 days but to have Wednesday and Friday afternoons off