Opting for 4 day week - whats the best day to take off?

Mike1961

I'm getting ever closer to retirement and I'm thinking of switching to a 4 day week. Being a civil servant I've been working Monday to Friday for the last gazillion years. My first thought was to take Friday off but then I was thinking that it would be nice to take the dreaded Monday off. A possible (though maybe silly) alternative is to take the Wednesday off.

Has anyone got any thoughts on it? I'd especially like to hear from anyone that has already made the switch.

Sir Ophiuchus

I'd consider your practical limitations first of all: are there any days that your boss is unlikely to go for? Issues of office coverage or something may play into their thinking.

I think a 3-day weekend sounds brilliant, personally: does it matter to you whether it's Friday or Monday?

Another option might be what my boss does: half days on Thursday and Friday. Up to you whether you'd like that, though.

Lucas Hood

Friday.

Then when it's a bank holiday week you'd only have a 3 day weeek.

AlmightyCushion

Either Monday or Wednesday for me. I've always found Mondays to be worse than Fridays. Wednesday breaks the week up whereas Monday gives you a 3 day weekend every week (4 for bank holidays). Both of those are great so not sure which I would choose. I'd probably go with Monday myself. Great choice to have though.

AlmightyCushion

Lucas Hood wrote: »

Friday.

Then when it's a bank holiday week you'd only have a 3 days weeek.

I'd assume that if you were only working Tuesday to Friday, that you would get the Tuesday off for a bank holiday.

johnayo

If you opt for monday, would you get another day in lieu on the weeks where the Bank Holidays fall on Monday?

OMM 0000

I'm not quite in the same position as you, but I have a job where I can work from home whenever I want. I usually only work from home 1 day per week, as I feel guilty if I work from home more than that.

It's really hard to say which one is "better" (can depend on how your office issues work/has deadlines, etc.), however I've noticed I nearly always do it on Monday. I think it''s a psychological thing. On Friday I'm already in weekend mode so I feel relaxed, so on Monday it feels more like I'm taking a day off, if that makes sense.

duffman13

Mike1961 wrote: »

I'm getting ever closer to retirement and I'm thinking of switching to a 4 day week. Being a civil servant I've been working Monday to Friday for the last gazillion years. My first thought was to take Friday off but then I was thinking that it would be nice to take the dreaded Monday off. A possible (though maybe silly) alternative is to take the Wednesday off.

Has anyone got any thoughts on it? I'd especially like to hear from anyone that has already made the switch.

I'd tend to go for a Monday, my partner made the switch to a Monday for various different reasons notably she'd usually get out a bit early on a Friday and Monday was usually a manic day and she also found traffic to be far worse on a Monday than a Friday but this depends on your locale I suppose.

When you get a bank holiday she usually gets an extra few hours lieu time as she doesnt benefit from it which she appreciates when booking hols etc.

Riskymove

Mike1961 wrote: »

A possible (though maybe silly) alternative is to take the Wednesday off.

I used to think this was a good idea - only ever in two days in a row max - but then work might be very stop start and harder to manage.

people I know on 4 day week are expected to have 5 days work done in 4 and realistically (if at higher level) still have email/contact on a lot of their day off - I think this would occur a lot more on a Wednesday than a Friday

However, I think it depends on what you want to do on day off

3 day weekends are good if you want to travel a bit or socialize more

a weekday like Wednesday good if you want to golf!! etc..

margo321

If u take Mon off you would get one fifth extra pay or in hours added to annual leave for any public holidays that fall on a Monday which would be most of them.

irelandrover

I dropped to a 4 day week last year. I take the Wednesdays off.
I find it great as only ever work 2 days in a row.
When there is a bank holiday i take the Tuesday off to get 5 days off with only 1 holiday.

You need to be able to get back into the work straight away so if you struggle on a Monday morning to get into the work after a weekendthen Wednesday probably isn't for you.

CelticRambler

I work 35-hour weeks on short-term contracts, and this is a constant point in the negotiations. My preference is to do 35hrs in 4 consecutive days (I'd rather do it in three, but that's a complete non-starter in this country!) and it makes no real difference whether I get the Friday or the Monday off. I find that days off in the middle of the week (or worse, two half-days) are very poor value, as the evening of the day off is still a "school night".

It very much depends on what you want to do with your free time: if you're big into DIY, shopping and other "home-based" activities, then a mid week day would have several advantages; if you want to maximise your leisure/travel opportunities - or just get a good run at whatever you're doing at home - then a longer weekend is a clear winner.

Zipppy

Mike1961 wrote:

I'm getting ever closer to retirement and I'm thinking of switching to a 4 day week. Being a civil servant I've been working Monday to Friday for the last gazillion years. My first thought was to take Friday off but then I was thinking that it would be nice to take the dreaded Monday off. A possible (though maybe silly) alternative is to take the Wednesday off.

Would there be any pension considerations involved in doing s 4 day week? if you retire on a 4 day week is your pension still based on the full salary scale?

Riskymove

Zipppy wrote: »

Would there be any pension considerations involved in doing s 4 day week? if you retire on a 4 day week is your pension still based on the full salary scale?

Pension based on full final salary, 4 day week affects service

working one day less a week means you build up service slower (unless OP has the 40 years already)

Mike1961

Thanks for all the contributions. Thankfully my pension isn't affected as I've already amassed 40 years service. As regards my boss and any work commitments/pressures, I reckon I'll be able to take whatever day I choose.

I reckon I can forget the Wednesday option ... even though I'd fancy a bit of golf but I reckon I can do that no matter what day I pick.

Some of the opinions on taking Monday off are pretty valid ... you get the Friday 'high' in work and get to enjoy the Monday off.

So definitely leaning towards (but not committed to) taking the Monday off. I'll have a chat with HR and get some facts and figures off them.

Thanks again for the good advise.

Spanish Eyes

A friend did three weeks on one week off. 75% of full pay as opposed to 80% on four day week. She found it great. Nine days off inc weekends every three weeks. Just another option.

Riskymove

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

A friend did three weeks on one week off. 75% of full pay as opposed to 80% on four day week. She found it great. Nine days off inc weekends every three weeks. Just another option.

if you are on Full PRSI this can be problematic

there is an issue with not being in work in a particular week for building up contributions over time - I think you need to be in at least 3 days a week??

again this depends on your particular circumstances

angela1711

Hi, I am going down to part time to ie 3 day week and was wondering how would that affect bank holiday payments ? Its up to myself which days I want to work and I was thinking of working Mon-Wed so taking Thursday and Friday off. Will I still get paid for the Monday if its Bank Holiday ?

Riskymove

angela1711 wrote: »

Will I still get paid for the Monday if its Bank Holiday ?

you'll be the same as a fulltime worker

you'll get the day off paid

PhoenixParker

Another option if you can is Friday one week, monday the next. You always get four day weeks and every second weekend is a 4 day weekend.

killanena

I get the luxury of choosing my hours to a certain extent at work, I usually do a 5-6 day week but when I need to slow down for awhile I usually take the weekend along with a Wednesday, its works for me because I like to play darts or pool of a Tuesday night with friends and having Wednesday off means I can allow myself more then the usual 2 pints and Wednesday my daughter is in preschool and my girlfriend is in her course so I have free reign off my home.

Really helps me bring the stress levels down when I feel them pile up. I might only do this 8-12 weeks out of the year though. I dont get to take my holidays together though, lucky to get a week in the year straight off.

dazberry

From my experience I would definitely go for Fridays, as I found Mondays off like a second Sunday day and started hating Tuesdays as if they were Mondays. Fridays on the other hand was a long weekend going into the weekend - as opposed to coming out of the weekend.

Harry Palmr

I did a four dayer and it was Wednesday that was my day of rest. You break up the week and have a day when if "going into town" it's fairly quiet and you can get parking