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Original poster

4 day week but which day off?

105 replies

DottieUncBab · 08/12/2022 20:25

Currently full time 35 hours but looking at dropping a day a week and doing 32 hours across four days but I have no idea which day to have off. Those who are part time what days did you choose to have off?

I am thinking maybe a Monday or Friday so I get a long weekend but could be convinced by other days.

I am probably slightly more drawn to a Monday as most Bank Holidays fall on a Monday and in my mind this I’d have less “forced” annual leave days and have more days to choose to have off with my annual leave allowance.

OP posts:

PopGoesTheProsecco · 08/12/2022 21:11

Personally I’d go for a Wednesday and break the week up.

Merlott · 08/12/2022 21:14

Don't take Fridays off. Fridays are barely a full day of work as most people have lost the will to live and are trying to leave early. A great day to clock in a full 8 hours of quality output without people pestering me every 5 minutes.

Good points about the downsides of working Mondays impacting on AL. I remember being really pissed off at nursery which charges for all BHs at full rate even though they're closed, and I had to waste a day's AL.

That affected me more when I worked 3 days. Now I work 4 it's less of an impact as have more days of AL to play with (though still getting hit with the BH deductions!).

Wed or Thu is good, break up the week. Break the work-weekend-work-weekend cycle of pushing from one extreme to the other. Be more chilled and take a breather during the week, catch up on chores so the weekends can be more relaxed.

No one seems to have suggested Tuesdays off! On Bank Hol weekends that would be a 4 day weekend every time?!

Rubytoos · 08/12/2022 21:14

Do you have to have a set day? I dropped a day two years ago and flex my day off according to what I need or want to do that week. This week it was Tuesday so I could get my nails done and visit my Dad before he goes abroad. Next week my partner is away so I have Wednesday and Thursday afternoon free when I will take doggies out and catch up with house jobs. I plan about 6 weeks in advance, keep my diary updated and visible, and my team are used to it.

SamBl1987 · 08/12/2022 21:14

Mondays for sure.

Where i work, if your day off falls on a Bank Holiday you just take off the next working day so there's messing about for you or HR with days in lieu.

VickerishAllsort · 08/12/2022 21:15

Wednesday. It gives you 2 2-day weeks with a mini weekend in between,

Cotswoldmama · 08/12/2022 21:16

I have Tuesday off, I prefer it to a Monday or Friday as it breaks the week up. Also it means when there's a bank holiday I have a very long weekend!

Typo22 · 08/12/2022 21:18

I have Friday off, it's my selfish day and I bloody love it!

LlareggubTripAdviser · 08/12/2022 21:19

I work 5 days over 4. Civil service. Ft London contract. (36 hrs) do 4x9hrs .. don't work Mondays.. if BH I get the Tuesday as well ..

fortifiedwithtea · 08/12/2022 21:25

I’d go for Tuesday. That way when there is a bank holiday Money the break is 4 days

fortifiedwithtea · 08/12/2022 21:25

Monday not money

Crabbi · 08/12/2022 21:32

Fridays. I have a lot of work on and people seem to finish early Fridays, so I don’t think I miss out on things as much - hence less catch up time and fewer meetings to rearrange!

WondrousWinger · 08/12/2022 21:34

Another vote for Wednesday off.

I love it - I only work for two days then a full day off. Then just another couple of days and you have the weekend.

I also drag bank Holidays out. I use one day of my normal annual leave for Tuesday and I'm off work from Saturday until Thursday - a whole 5 day stretch for only one day's leave used.

FawnFrenchieMum · 08/12/2022 21:36

If I could choose it would be Monday, purely as you get the bank holiday allowance to take as you please.
When I worked four days, Monday was already taken so I choose Wednesday, it was lovely never to have more then two days to work before a day off and if I used two days holiday I had five days off that felt almost like a full week.

NecklessMumster · 08/12/2022 21:37

Fridays off were nice as I cleared all household tasks for a free weekend. But have Mondays off now and it's sheer bliss, no Sunday feeling.

SarahAndQuack · 08/12/2022 21:40

Absolutely Wednesday. I work 3/4 days depending how busy we are, and Wednesday is always my day off. It's such a treat to have a break from work in the middle of the week and makes it so much more manageable.

I've had Mondays/Fridays off at odd times, and although you think a long weekend will feel luxurious, in practice, IMO, it doesn't. I also think having a Wednesday really reminds people you are 'off' off, and not just clocking off early (Friday) or being slow to start (Monday).

grafittiartist · 08/12/2022 21:41

Mid week definitely!
Breaks it up.

Pelo2022 · 08/12/2022 21:43

Wednesday

Also handy if you need a GP appointment as you're not battling the Monday rush

Bobbybobbins · 08/12/2022 21:45

I would go either Monday - no Sunday dread, or Wednesday- split the week in half.

I have had every day off at some point (teacher so timetable dictated) and hated having Tuesday off the most - get all the adrenaline going Monday then off, Thursday not great as you know you still have Friday to do. Friday ok but quite like Friday feeling at work.

TheChosenTwo · 08/12/2022 21:49

I’d choose to have the Monday off.
not the same but I selected to wfh at the beginning of the week and go to the office at the end of the week. Sundays are the best knowing I don’t have to have an early start the next day, and by the time Thursday and Friday come round and I’m in the office, it sort of already feels like winding down to the weekend. A lot of our work socials are on a Friday evening too, I’d not be arsed making a special trip from home but if I’m already in the office it’s not to join everyone for a couple of drinks. Also generally Fridays are more relaxed anyway.
Our work are good about bank holidays etc though, if you work part time and a bank holiday falls on your day off you get the relevant amount of hours added on to your overall leave allowance.

autienotnaughty · 08/12/2022 21:57

You are better taking Mondays off when part time .

Original poster

DottieUncBab · 08/12/2022 22:00

Thanks for the responses! Looks like Monday and Friday are most popular :)

I also like the idea of a Monday as I work in the office Tuesday and Wednesday so it feels like I don’t have to think about work at home until the Thursday and my Mondays are definitely my least productive day as I get up and running for the week again :)

I think I’ll likely request a Monday and see how that goes :)

OP posts:

Original poster

DottieUncBab · 08/12/2022 22:01

i am tempted by Wednesday though! With the two days back to back maximum :)

OP posts:

jevoudrais · 08/12/2022 22:03

I have a Wednesday. Caveat that I am quite senior and my job is specialist. You couldn't 'tie a few things up' if you were in Friday after being off Thursday kind of a thing. Two days in means I get momentum going on a few things and am then back in after a day. I like working Fridays as I get loads done because many don't or book long weekends off. Mondays are busy days for meetings as are Tuesdays.

jevoudrais · 08/12/2022 22:03

If it was Monday or Friday I'd go Monday. Fridays off are shit. Everywhere is busy I find.

SarahAndQuack · 08/12/2022 22:10

jevoudrais · 08/12/2022 22:03

Quite funny that so many people have said Wednesdays, but seemingly if you're senior and specialist, that makes your advice worth a caveat.

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