Doesn’t apply to zero hour contract workers or shift based workers because we tend to try to take what hours we can get. A four day working week is a week that gives a reasonable pay. I swear, four day workingg weeks only apply to those who work 9-5.
I condensed my hours when we had kids so I could have a day a week of dedicated time with them. While it’s not the same as what they’re doing here, I’ve generally found it really positive. The time with my kids is great, and while it’s longer hours elsewhere, I think I’m more disciplined about my time, so I spend less time at work when I shouldn’t be and more time being focused when I am there.
The main thing that was tough was meetings and people expecting full availability, but since the pandemic a lot more people have been flexible in their hours so there’s a lot more understanding.
Of course, I’m saying this as a comfortably middle class office worker with a permanent, full time contract, so I’m in an extremely privileged position compared to others.
would you be allowed to opt for continuing at 5 days per week with a 25% pay rise?
(you’d be doing 25% more hours than the others who aren’t getting a pay cut)
Only if the hours reduce too. If we’re asked to work longer on Monday to Thursday, there will still be burnout, possibly more.
People are overworked and underpaid. Society isn’t valuing the people’s contributions in a fair way. Wages and tax should be proportional and fair, with more value placed on what people want, not politicians.
Honestly, for me, I’m 9 to 5, Tuesdays to Saturdays, and only expected to show my face in the office once a week. It kinda suits me as it is, so I probably wouldn’t be too interested, but I like my job a lot.
I could quite comfortably do my work in 4 days. The issue I have is that my work will be open 5 days a week and I’m the only one who does my job here so I’d need to be on call for that 5th day.
Yes
I’m only still going because I moved to 4 days a few years ago
How would this transition to the public sector?
Nurses, police, firemen, mental health workers, social workers, etc. I actually do back the idea – I think we need a shorter working week but I don’t know how we can make this work, equally for all.
Would rather just encourage blanket flexible working. Four day week? Sure. Split hours? Excellent. WFH? Obviously.
Certain sectors will not be able to provide this, but for those that can work should be purely driven by productivity and hitting deadlines, not cumulative bum-on-seat hours.
As an office worker I need this if only to formalise how much work we actually do a week
10 comments
Doesn’t apply to zero hour contract workers or shift based workers because we tend to try to take what hours we can get. A four day working week is a week that gives a reasonable pay. I swear, four day workingg weeks only apply to those who work 9-5.
I condensed my hours when we had kids so I could have a day a week of dedicated time with them. While it’s not the same as what they’re doing here, I’ve generally found it really positive. The time with my kids is great, and while it’s longer hours elsewhere, I think I’m more disciplined about my time, so I spend less time at work when I shouldn’t be and more time being focused when I am there.
The main thing that was tough was meetings and people expecting full availability, but since the pandemic a lot more people have been flexible in their hours so there’s a lot more understanding.
Of course, I’m saying this as a comfortably middle class office worker with a permanent, full time contract, so I’m in an extremely privileged position compared to others.
would you be allowed to opt for continuing at 5 days per week with a 25% pay rise?
(you’d be doing 25% more hours than the others who aren’t getting a pay cut)
Only if the hours reduce too. If we’re asked to work longer on Monday to Thursday, there will still be burnout, possibly more.
People are overworked and underpaid. Society isn’t valuing the people’s contributions in a fair way. Wages and tax should be proportional and fair, with more value placed on what people want, not politicians.
Honestly, for me, I’m 9 to 5, Tuesdays to Saturdays, and only expected to show my face in the office once a week. It kinda suits me as it is, so I probably wouldn’t be too interested, but I like my job a lot.
I could quite comfortably do my work in 4 days. The issue I have is that my work will be open 5 days a week and I’m the only one who does my job here so I’d need to be on call for that 5th day.
Yes
I’m only still going because I moved to 4 days a few years ago
How would this transition to the public sector?
Nurses, police, firemen, mental health workers, social workers, etc. I actually do back the idea – I think we need a shorter working week but I don’t know how we can make this work, equally for all.
Would rather just encourage blanket flexible working. Four day week? Sure. Split hours? Excellent. WFH? Obviously.
Certain sectors will not be able to provide this, but for those that can work should be purely driven by productivity and hitting deadlines, not cumulative bum-on-seat hours.
As an office worker I need this if only to formalise how much work we actually do a week