FT / 0.8 / 9 day fortnight?

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

I would love to know what others would do in my situation. I am in the running for a senior management role and the organization are open to part-time / flexible options.
I currently work 0.6 (22.5 hours) over 4 days. The commute is about an hour and a half each way, and about 50/50 WFH/onsite. I have two children in primary school one with SEN, and a very equal division of labour with my husband, he does 3 days in the office 2 days work from home.
As I see it I could ask for either full time or 0.8 or a 9-day fortnight. Anyone been in a similar situation and if so what did you end up doing?

I am in a senior role and work 28 hours (0.8) over four days. Occasionally I travel or I attend something on my non working day, and then I take the time back accordingly. I know people who have done 9 day fortnights and they have found it very pressured. I love having a day off a week and it helps my energy levels / coping with the pressure of the job!

For me it depends:

• do you need the FT salary or can cope on 0.8?
• for your mental / physical health is having time off to potter round the house / catch up on chores or have a nap a key thing you need / want?
• do you want to progress past this position or happy to sit for a while?
• How are you juggling the school holidays and would 1 day off a week be beneficial?

For me I don’t think I could work FT again. We don’t need a FT salary, I’m much mentally happier with time off to run errands / have a nap and generally feel human. I am not too bothered about progressing right now and it’s super helpful in the school holidays / when a kid gets sick to move days around

I do 0.9 over 4 days, with every Friday off. I was finding 0.8 not quite enough, regularly doing an hour extra a day, so accepting that and getting paid for the hours worked better for me. Would that be an option?

Of your options, I'd probably do the 9 day fortnight, and protect your day off.

I can't help thinking that anyone working 0.9 (or 0.8 tbh) is just getting paid less for still doing the FT job.

I know it will depend on the job, as to how work is allocated, but I seriously think you just lose out on money, not workload unless you go for a clear demarcation (like 0.6 where other work will be picked up by someone else.

I do this too and find it works great.

I’ve just started at a new company that encourages a 4 day week doing 37.5 hours.
However I worry that would be VERY long 4 days with very little flexibility- by Friday I’d be in bed recovering!
As PP have said, I think doing 0.8 on the reduced salary would leave me doing a full time job on part time money.
Going to stick to a flexible schedule over 5 days for now.

Thank you all so much! I used to work 0.8 and just about managed to feel like I wasn't doing full time work for part time pay.
I feel really sure I want to avoid full time if possible.

0.9 helps with that a bit. You feel less resentful doing a full time job for 90% pay than you would for 80%! It gives you a built in buffer for any inevitable overtime you end up doing/checking of emails on your day off.