How would you split your working hours?

Evilm

I'm in the minority then. Due to the type of work I do I have a lot to deal with when I come in and then might also have a few urgent 'needed' that day things to do. There will be some other background work to do as well. So I might get in and only have 2hrs real work that day. Others there is 6hrs work, 3 of which are 'needed today'.

So rather than doing 4 days a week I choose to do 5 at shorter hours. It helps me manage the role better.

heronfolder

One thing to watch with working partial days, is that your manager/other employees can often very easily come up to you and ask you to 'just do something urgent' (usually about 15 mins before you're due to go home for the day!)
Then you find yourself staying on for an extra hour and not getting paid for it.

I would do 2x 8hr days.

getmore4less

Make sure they work out your holiday properly.

Make sure you have the overtime policy.

As has been said fewer days for just doing a bit extra

One advantage of 2 full days especialy if they will be flexable on the days you work is you can create longer periods off.

Work monday tues week one thurs fri week 2 with 8 days gap.

Making the normal days tue-thur avoids using holidays for the bank holidays.

slig

If I had a completely free choice, then 2 x 8, with the two days consecutive (I'd go for Tuesday & Wednesday). It gives the most flexibility for having a second job or perhaps setting up a small business if you have any relevant skills. Plus there's the money saving aspect like others have said. And on the five days a week you're not working you can plan the days how you want - working four days a week, even for short hours, would still end up occupying most of your working week, especially if you have a bit of a commute.

If I had children or a dog or other commitments then I would probably opt for spreading it out more. Also, it depends on what the employer wants and what the job is. In some roles it could be a nightmare to just be in two days, and it would be much less stressful to do a bit every day.

donnajunkie

cleggie wrote: »

Hi

if you were working 16 hours and could choose how to split those hours, would you either

A- work 2 days of 8 hours

or

B- work 4 days of 4 hours?

Or would you choose to split it another way?

i would do 5 hours on tuesdays, 6 hours on wednesday and 5 hours on thursday.

Soapn

cleggie wrote: »

Hi

if you were working 16 hours and could choose how to split those hours, would you either

A- work 2 days of 8 hours

or

B- work 4 days of 4 hours?

Or would you choose to split it another way?

I'd do the 2 lots of 8--only have to go to work twice, only 2 lots of busfares and the rest of the week to chill n do no work!

stardrops42

I would do the 2 lots of 8 as long as you don't have to pick kids up or anything. It also saves on petrol etc.
I work Mon, Tues, Weds for one week then a 7 day break and then work Thursday, Friday the next week. 41.5 hours over the fortnight, I love my hours:D

leejason86

I worked 16 hours for 3 days.

1st day- 5hrs
2nd day- 5hrs
and
3rd day- 6hrs

that's how I split my working hours!

plzhelpmesave!

I would do 2 or 3 days depending on your other commitments.

I get paid for 15 hours a week on a self employed contract but work ridiculous hours - partly my own fault as I can work flexibly and never set myself proper hours!

Having clearly defined hours will help you and your colleagues to know when you are in work and when you are available for work. The rest of the time is yours...

off to hotmail now to do some work before the kids get up!

wannabehermit

There's no one size fits all answer for this, it all depends on personal circumstances and other commitments. I did 16 hours a week at Woolworths and did 4 hours a day over 4 days. I was a single parent so it was perfect in that it fitted with school hours and was flexible in that if I needed a day off, I could just work the other day, or if I needed to leave early I could make it up the next day. However if I was single without children I'd do it all over the weekend (obviously this is assuming it's a business that operates on Sat & Sun).