How to get a 4 day week job

mel123

So as the title suggests, how do you get a 4 day week job? I am looking at changing jobs soon, and would like to work 4 days a week. So do you go to an interview and tell them you are interested in a 4 day week? Say it pre interview?
Do you wait until you get offered the job, and then ask them for 4 days? Play a game and tell them that the money on offer is only worth 4 days to you?

Any advice?

GBX

It would depend on the job role and the area of work you are looking to change into. Is it common in the job role you are already doing or just hoping to get it in the next job? If you wait till a job offer - they may not like the idea of not knowing beforehand.
As for "playing a game" - If you are a specialist in your field you could discuss it with an employer but if it is a regular non qualified job, this may be more difficult.

beauf

Be excellent at a 5 day job. So they want to keep you on a 4 day week.

I've done it a few times, but I'd mention before interview.

Glenster

beauf wrote: »

Be excellent at a 5 day job. So they want to keep you on a 4 day week.

I've done it a few times, but I'd mention before interview.

Depends how soon you want to do it.

If you're going to ask immediately for a four day week I'd mention it before the interview, but prepare to be weeded out.

I'd do the old, work my probation and then be all like "OMG I've a change in circumstance" to your boss.
If you're a lady, try and make it a lady-related thing, if you're gay try and make it a gay-related thing.

Guaranteed 4 day week.

beauf

Also be careful about doing overtime, or coming in on the 5th day to help out. You can end up working 5 days worth of hours for 4 days pay.

baby and crumble

Glenster wrote: »

, if you're gay try and make it a gay-related thing.

Guaranteed 4 day week.

Lol what?

"Sorry I can only do a 4 day week, I'm just too darn gay to function for 5 full days! TRALALALAAAAAAAAA"

I got my 4 day week because I went for a 3 day part-time position that I was interested in, was good at it during probation and so they upped me to 4 after a year. I honestly love it. I'd like the 5 day week money though...

sjb25

I work 3 day or 4 day weeks they are 12 hour shifts tho

ELM327

As above I've worked 10/12/>12 shifts to have a 4 day (or sometimes 3.5 day) week.
Find a job that you excel at and then ask for it!

CIARAN_BOYLE

There are certain fields that a 4 day week is common. Otherwise get pregnant refuse to come back from maternity leave unless your schedule is adjusted to give you more time with your kids.

mel123

Glenster wrote: »

I'd do the old, work my probation and then be all like "OMG I've a change in circumstance" to your boss.
If you're a lady, try and make it a lady-related thing, if you're gay try and make it a gay-related thing.

Guaranteed 4 day week.

I just laughed out loud at this

mel123

Thanks for all the replies. I do work in a profession where a four day week would be possible and quite common for working from home etc, just my own employers wouldnt go for it - i havnt asked but i 99.9% know they wouldnt.
I think its probably easier to do in a big company, whereas I work currently in a small company, its very much skeleton staff which isnt a great model anyway. So I think I will hit up the bigger companies and see how I get on.

CIARAN_BOYLE

mel123 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I do work in a profession where a four day week would be possible and quite common for working from home etc, just my own employers wouldnt go for it - i havnt asked but i 99.9% know they wouldnt.
I think its probably easier to do in a big company, whereas I work currently in a small company, its very much skeleton staff which isnt a great model anyway. So I think I will hit up the bigger companies and see how I get on.

A lot of smaller companies would take someone on a short week they just need to be in the right stage. IE not being able to afford full time but needing extra staff.

Good luck.

beauf

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

There are certain fields that a 4 day week is common. Otherwise get pregnant refuse to come back from maternity leave unless your schedule is adjusted to give you more time with your kids.

I don't think law says you have to give parental leave in single days. You can insist in it being taken in a contiguous block. I could be wrong.

Glenster

baby and crumble wrote: »

Lol what?

"Sorry I can only do a 4 day week, I'm just too darn gay to function for 5 full days! TRALALALAAAAAAAAA"

I'd be more like, "I'm very active in the gay rights community and I think I need more time to devote to my activism"

Anything where if they say no you can return with "Is this because I'm a woman/ Gay/ Traveller/ Catholic/ Single dad/ whatever"

slam dunk.

WhiteMemento9

I don't know how anyone justifies working a 5 day week. You are essentially a slave when you consider commute, odd extra hours and recovery time. If your life inside work isn't of must relative value to you as a person it just isn't worth it. Work = Money (Nothing else) 4 days is just about bearable. It would make us all much more happy individuals if we could all move to 4 days and with the increase in productivity due to technology it should have happened long ago.

Cunning Stunt

WhiteMemento9 wrote: »

I don't know how anyone justifies working a 5 day week. You are essentially a slave when you consider commute, odd extra hours and recovery time. If your life inside work isn't of must relative value to you as a person it just isn't worth it. Work = Money (Nothing else) 4 days is just about bearable. It would make us all much more happy individuals if we could all move to 4 days and with the increase in productivity due to technology it should have happened long ago.

this - or at least cut Friday down to a half-day, like they do here in Denmark. Then a lot of people work Fridays from home. I will really miss that when we move back to Ireland.

MarkR

WhiteMemento9 wrote: »

I don't know how anyone justifies working a 5 day week. You are essentially a slave when you consider commute, odd extra hours and recovery time. If your life inside work isn't of must relative value to you as a person it just isn't worth it. Work = Money (Nothing else) 4 days is just about bearable. It would make us all much more happy individuals if we could all move to 4 days and with the increase in productivity due to technology it should have happened long ago.

What do you mean xxxx isn't open?

We live in a 7 day a week society. To feed that, a certain level of productivity is required. Taking 20% of people off isn't going to work unless people work 20% longer on the other days, or people suddenly start needing 20% less stuff.

WhiteMemento9

MarkR wrote: »

What do you mean xxxx isn't open?

We live in a 7 day a week society. To feed that, a certain level of productivity is required. Taking 20% of people off isn't going to work unless people work 20% longer on the other days, or people suddenly start needing 20% less stuff.

Productivity has increased massively due to technological advancement. We produce far more than ever with far lower human involvement. If you look at trends since the 80's productivity has kept increasing massively while wages or less time worked has not followed that trend. We are producing more stuff than ever but working the same hours and for less money indexing in inflation. That doesn't make sense unless you look at where the money goes.

When the automation revolution really kicks in next decade human labour will be become less and less required. As a short term solution to keep the wolves at bay a move to a 4 day week would provide more jobs as currently a fraction of the people employed will be required due to automation. Eventually though I think automation will lead to something like the living wage having to be introduced.

Misguided1

beauf wrote: »

I don't think law says you have to give parental leave in single days. You can insist in it being taken in a contiguous block. I could be wrong.

You are entitled to Parental leave but the employer can specify in what form it is taken (block, weeks, days).

Misguided1

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

There are certain fields that a 4 day week is common. Otherwise get pregnant refuse to come back from maternity leave unless your schedule is adjusted to give you more time with your kids.

I wouldn't rely on this advice if you want to keep your job. A company isn't obliged to give you flexible working conditions. They should consider it.
If you refuse to come back because you are demanding flexibility, you might be given all the flexibility you need and be told not to come back;)

Glenster

WhiteMemento9 wrote: »

I don't know how anyone justifies working a 5 day week. You are essentially a slave when you consider commute, odd extra hours and recovery time. If your life inside work isn't of must relative value to you as a person it just isn't worth it. Work = Money (Nothing else) 4 days is just about bearable. It would make us all much more happy individuals if we could all move to 4 days and with the increase in productivity due to technology it should have happened long ago.

Not really mate.

I work near where I live. 9-5 maybe 6, an hour for lunch. I don't know what "recovery time" is.

So, by my reckoning, I'm working, including commute, from 8.45-5.45 less an hour for lunch.

That's 8 hours a day * 5 days a week. that's 40 hours in a week. Sleep 7 hours a day. So that's 1/3 of my productive time spent in work.

I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I had more free time than that, I feel as though I waste what I have now.

Agent Smith

baby and crumble wrote: »

Lol what?

"Sorry I can only do a 4 day week, I'm just too darn gay to function for 5 full days! TRALALALAAAAAAAAA"

I got my 4 day week because I went for a 3 day part-time position that I was interested in, was good at it during probation and so they upped me to 4 after a year. I honestly love it. I'd like the 5 day week money though...

I'm not gay but i do hate working Mondays..... :pac:

WhiteMemento9

Glenster wrote: »

Not really mate.

I work near where I live. 9-5 maybe 6, an hour for lunch. I don't know what "recovery time" is.

So, by my reckoning, I'm working, including commute, from 8.45-5.45 less an hour for lunch.

That's 8 hours a day * 5 days a week. that's 40 hours in a week. Sleep 7 hours a day. So that's 1/3 of my productive time spent in work.

I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I had more free time than that, I feel as though I waste what I have now.

And so ends the party political broadcast for work

Seriously I can't imagine a better spin doctor attempt. So let me put another angle on things.

You can't say that an hour lunch is free time. It is part of your working day. If I am in work and maybe have some downtime like when when I am having a chat on the internet. I don't consider it free time. I am in work. I can't go do whatever the hell I want which is what I call free time.

So 9 hours work *5 = 45. 7 hours sleep * 5 = 35.

Total free time excluding work and sleep. 33% of free time.

Including weekends you have around 74 hours out of 168 or 44%

Those numbers are imo also incredibly optimistic when you consider many people spend 8 hours sleeping. Many people take work home with them. Many people are so wrecked after a days work that essentially the free time isn't spent in ways they would maybe like or can't do things they want as they have to worry about work the next day. Most people aren't as lucky to have your commute time.

If I didn't work I still wouldn't have enough time in day. You are doing it wrong.

TimeToShine

WhiteMemento9 wrote: »

And so ends the party political broadcast for work

Seriously I can't imagine a better spin doctor attempt. So let me put another angle on things.

You can't say that an hour lunch is free time. It is part of your working day. If I am in work and maybe have some downtime like when when I am having a chat on the internet. I don't consider it free time. I am in work. I can't go do whatever the hell I want which is what I call free time.

So 9 hours work *5 = 45. 7 hours sleep * 5 = 35.

Total free time excluding work and sleep. 33% of free time.

Including weekends you have around 74 hours out of 168 or 44%

Those numbers are imo also incredibly optimistic when you consider many people spend 8 hours sleeping. Many people take work home with them. Many people are so wrecked after a days work that essentially the free time isn't spent in ways they would maybe like or can't do things they want as they have to worry about work the next day. Most people aren't as lucky to have your commute time.

If I didn't work I still wouldn't have enough time in day. You are doing it wrong.

And how exactly are you funding your lavish expansive lifestyle without a job? Or are you still in college?

Glenster

WhiteMemento9 wrote: »

And so ends the party political broadcast for work

Seriously I can't imagine a better spin doctor attempt. So let me put another angle on things.

You can't say that an hour lunch is free time. It is part of your working day. If I am in work and maybe have some downtime like when when I am having a chat on the internet. I don't consider it free time. I am in work. I can't go do whatever the hell I want which is what I call free time.

So 9 hours work *5 = 45. 7 hours sleep * 5 = 35.

Total free time excluding work and sleep. 33% of free time.

Including weekends you have around 74 hours out of 168 or 44%

Those numbers are imo also incredibly optimistic when you consider many people spend 8 hours sleeping. Many people take work home with them. Many people are so wrecked after a days work that essentially the free time isn't spent in ways they would maybe like or can't do things they want as they have to worry about work the next day. Most people aren't as lucky to have your commute time.

If I didn't work I still wouldn't have enough time in day. You are doing it wrong.

The only person massaging figures is you.

You've included sleep in 'not free time' like a maniac. By your logic sleep is a terrible chore. I've excluded it from my calcs altogether.

If you or someone you know is sleeping 8 hours a day, seek medical help, because they sound depressed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep#Ideal_duration
6-7 is science. Feel better, live longer.

Lunch time is patently free time. You have an hour during the day to do what you want. I have in the past; Read a book, gone for a meal with friends, laid out and listened to music, gone for a walk, done personal errands, all sorts.

So I'm working & commuting 40 hours out of a conscious 119 hours a week. Straightforward. Anyone can do it.

Glenster

TimeToShine wrote: »

And how exactly are you funding your lavish expansive lifestyle without a job? Or are you still in college?

Many people spend 8 hours a week sleeping

Obviously in college.

WhiteMemento9

TimeToShine wrote: »

And how exactly are you funding your lavish expansive lifestyle without a job? Or are you still in college?

Glenster wrote: »

Obviously in college.

I am currently posting from work. You should both learn to read. I said if I didn't work I still wouldn't have enough hours in the day.

TimeToShine

WhiteMemento9 wrote: »

I am currently posting from work. You should both learn to read. I said if I didn't work I still wouldn't have enough hours in the day.

I never said that I disagreed with you, all I want to know is why someone who condemns the corporate schmuck so much is still willing to work in the first place. Do you run your own business?

WhiteMemento9

TimeToShine wrote: »

I never said that I disagreed with you, all I want to know is why someone who condemns the corporate schmuck so much is still willing to work in the first place. Do you run your own business?

What? Why when someone takes a position on something does it automatically become one from the extreme. You can exist within a sphere which isn't so polar on issues.

Currently you have to work to survive. I am not saying it should be possible to down tools all week and live it up. All I am saying is that I think as a society it is possible to move towards a four day week which I think would be hugely beneficial to society as a whole and currently we work far too much?

beauf

WhiteMemento9 wrote: »

I don't know how anyone justifies working a 5 day week....

Most people need to work to have a better quality of life than not working. Especially if they live to retire.

That said you have to be earning well above the average wage to make any difference over not working. 4 days is not viable for most people. Anyone I know doing it are not surviving on a single wage.

beauf

I think the French have the lowest working hours per week. We've increased the working hours of the public sector. Probably even more in the private sector also.

I did a 4 day week once for about 4 months. Didnt really work out. Kept getting dragged into other things on my day off.

dont bother

i work a four day week - off friday, sat and sundays. i'm half thinking of cutting down to a three day week - but i'm going to wait until my pay goes back up enough to allow the net pay to remain the same when i take the extra day off.

so, in another year, i can cut down to three day week without it affecting my pay.

suckers!!!

mel123

mel123 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I do work in a profession where a four day week would be possible and quite common for working from home etc, just my own employers wouldnt go for it - i havnt asked but i 99.9% know they wouldnt.
I think its probably easier to do in a big company, whereas I work currently in a small company, its very much skeleton staff which isnt a great model anyway. So I think I will hit up the bigger companies and see how I get on.

You never know. If your idea is to work four days and get paid for four days, and they are a small company, they might jump at the chance to save some money while still keeping an experienced employee. I would 100% ask your current employer first

Lux23

Glenster wrote: »

Not really mate.

I work near where I live. 9-5 maybe 6, an hour for lunch. I don't know what "recovery time" is.

So, by my reckoning, I'm working, including commute, from 8.45-5.45 less an hour for lunch.

That's 8 hours a day * 5 days a week. that's 40 hours in a week. Sleep 7 hours a day. So that's 1/3 of my productive time spent in work.

I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I had more free time than that, I feel as though I waste what I have now.

I am exactly the same. I work five days a week and I am often home before 6 pm - that means I have four/five hours in the evening to do what I want and still get a good night's sleep. My old job I maybe had two/three.

So, if you feel like a wage slave maybe get another job rather than cutting down to four days a week.