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Original poster

What hours are best?

16 replies

Carsarelife · 29/12/2023 13:42

I'm currently working a job 5x4 hour days = 20 hours.
I don't get much time to myself despite the hours. I do school run in the morning then school run at 3pm and work inbetween.
I don't get the school holidays off either but do get 5 weeks off a year but as children have 13 weeks off I have to find childcare for 5 days a week for the other 8 weeks.

Been offered a job that's 20 hours a week and would compromise of 2x 8 hour days (Tuesday and Thursday) and 1x4 hours (Wednesday) leaving Monday and Friday free aswell as Saturday and Sunday.
I just feel work life balance would be better plus childcare easier to sort in holidays as would only have to cover 2.5 days instead of 5.

Which job would you rather do? The jobs are both the same job but different workplaces.

OP posts:
Sisterpita · 29/12/2023 15:29

Definitely 2 x 8 hours a day & 1 x 4 hours a day. It will give you more flexibility.

Yes the 8 hour days will be tough but pragmatically is 3 days vs 5 days child care in holidays, it’s 2 days where you have time to yourself, you might use it for admin, cleaning etc but it should be days you have less pressure from external sources.

Original poster
Carsarelife · 29/12/2023 15:48

@Sisterpita thanks. My mind is made up I think. Youve certainly helped with the decision. It's mainly the childcare in the holidays that's swayed my decision.
I used to do lots of cleaning, washing my car etc but I've noticed I've been neglecting these things due to working 5 days a week.

OP posts:
HorMon · 29/12/2023 15:52

I've worked 3 x 7 hour days for years and it's a great balance.
Two days off in the week to do all the catching up at home, be at school gate, have friends home to play after school. And only 3 days of after school and holiday care needed.

I'd only want to do the hours over 5 days if you had school holidays off as otherwise the holiday cover required just isn't worth it IMO

Original poster
Carsarelife · 29/12/2023 16:16

@HorMon yes although currently I don't use wraparound care but if I take new job I will have to put DD in after school club on the 2 longer days.
But it would still mean she will only have to do clubs in holidays for 2/3 days instead of 5

OP posts:
redcess · 29/12/2023 18:45

Will you still get 25 days holiday though with the 3 day a week job? It is normally pro rata the number of days per week you work. So would be 3 5ths of 25 days. Ie 15 days annual leave instead of 25

Torganer · 29/12/2023 19:00

I think holiday is based on hours not days. Ours is. Is there a possibility of doing 2 ten hour days instead?

Derb · 29/12/2023 19:09

Second definitely! I do two long days rather than spread my hours and I love the balance it gives me. I still have a little one at home so my off days are spent with them until starting school and then I plan to keep my hours and days the same.

pinkiepie87 · 29/12/2023 19:17

Option 2, though are you sure you get that much annual leave??

I work 8-4 mon-Fri with a commute each side. Solo parent (widowed), so either of your options sounds like a dream to me!

Original poster
Carsarelife · 31/12/2023 09:31

I just meant I can still take 5 weeks off but still obviously only get paid for 3 days out of the week but they said I can have 5 weeks off. 1 week over Xmas and the other 4 through the year.
I normally work Feb half term, take 1 week at Easter, work May half term, 2 weeks in August, and take 1 week at October.
Will just be easier to manage childcare.

Work have suggested I leave youngest home alone but I personally am not comfortable doing that.

OP posts:
Rockrobon · 31/12/2023 09:40

I currently work your option 2 hours, two longer days (7.5 hours) and a 3 hour. I find it works perfectly. I do have one dc in nursery (and two in school) so longer days made sense. I also thought working school hours everything would feel rushed and zero time to yourself. I think you should take the option 2.

dementedpixie · 31/12/2023 09:45

You should get 5.6 weeks of holidays so 5.6 x 20 = 112 hours.

It would be best doing holidays in hours as you dont work the same number of hours each day.

Willmafrockfit · 31/12/2023 09:51

how old are your dc?
do you have family help in the holiday?
i think 2 long days and a four hour day sound great but you might come unstuck in the holiday

Original poster
Carsarelife · 31/12/2023 10:11

DC are 19 and 9.
No real family help as in laws about 1.5 hours away and my parents can't/wont
The 19 year old looks after the 9 year old normally 1 day in the holidays but he works part time so has to tell me which day is best. In the past I've booked youngest into a holiday sports camp it runs from 9-330 but you can pay extra to stay until 5.30

OP posts:
Original poster
Carsarelife · 31/12/2023 10:23

The main issue I can see is I will be going from weekly pay back to monthly pay which will be hard. I've got used to weekly pay and much prefer it.
Equally for a better work life balance I'm prepared to accept monthly pay again.

OP posts:
turkeymuffin · 31/12/2023 15:54

Definitely the longer days.

With a 9yo you aren't going to need wrap around care for much longer anyway. Get the work done over fewer days and you'll have time to yourself.

Original poster
Carsarelife · 31/12/2023 22:19

@turkeymuffin thanks this is my thinking about too. It's so hard to know what to do for the best. But I feel burnt out so my decision is made

OP posts:
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