How to make best use of compressed hours for work-life balance

[tokajlover]

I am in the extremely priviledged position where despite a 2 and a bit years gap in my employment (a choice to take a career break after having my DD), I have been offered a local job on London salary, with the option to do flexible working and compressed hours/PT.

However, after two years off, I am wondering how to best do this and which model to choose to guarantee as much time as possible with my little one, as I will be finding the return to work and being away from her hard enough as it is (was initially meant to be at home till she was 3 but the opportunity is too good to pass up and I worry I won’t find another job as flexible in 10 month’s time).

I have the option of working everyday from 8/9am till 3pm, or compressing my hours (I would go down the 4 days compressed in 3 route for this). My husband will also compress his hours so he doesn’t work Friday afternoons.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips on which model might work best? Because she would still be in childcare (we are looking to hire a nanny) and not in school, and loads of things for pre-school aged children are in the mornings, I thought at this stage having some full days off work might work better, but would welcome any other thoughts!

Thanks!

I would definitely have a day/s off in the week as there is so much to do and not huge amounts of time before school. I really like that age because they can communicate so much better and are basically better company than a baby!

I was lucky enough to work 3 days from when my youngest was born until school and I valued that time with her but also enjoyed taking her older siblings to and from school. Meant they didn't have to be in childcare the whole week.

From a practical point of view, it might be better for the company to get used to you not being 'in' for 2 days from the off rather than start being around more and then dropping.

I'm a fan of 90% hours over 4 days (not sure what the equivalent would be over 3 days) so my working day is 8:30-5:30 (or 8-5), Inc a mandatory half hour lunch break.

This would still fit within nursery hours, but doesn't become so long that if you ever need to come in late/knock off a bit earlier you haven't got the flexibility to make the time up.

I guess over 3 days that would be what 25.5 out of 37.5 hours (or potentially fewer/more depending what full time is for you), so maybe 70% ish over 3 days.

@tokajlover I have always understood compressed hours to be full time over 4 days or a 9 day fortnight.

Part time with longer days is very common.

• 08:00 to 15:00 is a 6.5 hour day with 30 minute break x 4 days = 26 hours
• 09:00 to 15:00 is a 6 hour day as no requirement to take a break x 4 days = 24 hours
• 3 x 8 hour days = 24 hours so 08:00 to 16:30 is 8 hour days plus 30 minute break

I would go for 3 longer days and have Mondays as one of your NWD. This is because you will get pro rata BH and most BH fall on a Monday so you get slightly more flexibility when to take your leave.

Take the option where you have a full day off. That way you can do so much more together. There's not a lot you can do after a 3pm pick up especially in winter when it's dark.

Based on experience, I’d do compressed rather than work everyday.

Also based on experience, it was much better having NWD at the beginning of the week rather than midweek or at the end.

I would say that finishing at 3 is great for spending time after school with your children and facilitating their interests or just supporting them. Whilst I don't earn as much as I could, I do not regret always being there for them and listening and talking things through and ensuring that they have their homework covered and being able to give them the same attention a sahm can, but with my own money and career. I switched from having a day off when they were preschool to finishing at 2.30 when they went to school.

I've always done 5 days in 4. I get paid full time and get 1 day off (Friday). Worked well for me when DC were tiny but also now they're in primary school. I used to work 4 days (80% pay) but I was delivering more than my full time colleagues despite being paid less so I will keep a hold of my full time pay!

I work 0.95 of full-time btw and I believe the mandatory minimum lunch is 20 mins which for me starts at 2.30

I do 4.5 days over 4. It works well for us. Almost full time wages. Having the full day off saves us a bunch in holiday childcare. But it’s not so many hours that it’s a slog or impossible to make time up for apts etc.

Everyone will tell you to have a Monday as a non working day. Mainly for bank hols. Friday worked much better for us. My kids are always shattered after a busy week of nursery / school and really value a nice chilled day at home on a Friday. It feels like it set us up for the weekend somehow.

if you can afford it, do 3 days.

Congratulations - it sounds like an amazing opportunity 🙂

I do almost 4 days in 3 so 3 7-5pm days roughly. Means I have 2 days off with my little girl every week