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Anyone gone from 4 days to 3 days in a senior role?

12 replies

Nowaysis · 16/07/2014 19:47

I've had to name change as previous posts would identify me.

This isn't an issue as such but I would appreciate some guidance.

I work 4 days per week (30 hours) in a senior management position, reporting to the MD and an active member of the board of Directors. The board consists of an MD, FD, Ops Director and Commercial Director (fill in the missing blank if you can Grin)

I started the role over 12 months ago, initially 3 days but it went up to 4 days which was fine at the time; the 4 days were made permanent earlier this year. I've enjoyed the job role immensely and with reporting in to the MD, I've developed a lot and really adding value to the business and the people within it. The 4 days has given me some worklife balance with my 3 year old DD too and the seniority has also been rewarded in my overall package.

My MD has asked if I wish to go down to 3 days again. He knows DD is starting pre-school soon and so he has kept open 4 days still and he knows the work is there (often on my day off, I take calls, check emails) but put out there I can go to 3 if I want.

In keeping with how my mind works, I've listed + and -

+ve's

  1. Potenial take home pay will be same as what I take home now, due to currently being in the higher rate taxband, going 3 days would bring me below it. I would take the car allowance as my car is due to go back, and they'd pro rata it down.
  2. more time with DD on my 2nd day off, although she starts her free 15 hours at pre-school from Sept (9-12 each day)
  3. I would have some time to myself on my days off (due to DD being in school). I can work on the voluntary stuff I do which I'm lagging behind in.

    -ve's
  4. I end up working on my days off (both of them) but not getting paid for it.
  5. I am perceived to be a "part timer", i.e at the moment, my day off isn't really noted by people, they think I'm on another site, or working from home and it isn't noticable. It will be if I drop to 3 days
  6. my impact in my role will be less. The day won't be replaced by anyone else as I'm the only person heading up this area of the business and I won't be able to do what I want to achieve by the end of the year.
  7. it may (or may not) impact on future promotion, i.e. I would like to be a Director within 2 years and my MD knows this. Going to 3 days isn't exactly going to show committment, although like I say, he is fully supportive of whatever I want to do as long as my car allowance is pro rataed as it currently hasn't been!

    WWYD?
    I am completely on the fence. I love DD so much and we've had a really nice day off together today. But I also love my job.
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Heels99 · 16/07/2014 19:53

Went from 5 days pre maternity leave hr director, to 3 days post maternity not hr director took a sideways move, leave now back up to 4 as I changed companies in a different role. Wish wish wish I was still on 3 days. Your MD sounds amazing. Only you can make this choice, but the chance to reduce hours doesn't come along very often. Could you do 3 days on a 3 month trial and then review? That keeps your options open. NB yes you may still be doing emails etc on your day off, but that unfortunately is the price of flexibility in a senior role.

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Nowaysis · 16/07/2014 20:08

Thanks Heels, really appreciate your response. Definitely hit home that part time doesn't come up often!

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AliMonkey · 16/07/2014 20:17

No but I do 3dpw but in practice do 4 days work by going in early stating late or doing bits in evenings or on day off. I am the number 2 in my (small) company. If you are well paid enough that the difference in pay won't have huge impact then I would say go for it. You have the extra time with DC, extra time go do housework or voluntary work (so less needs to be done in family time at weekend) and the freedom to do the extra bits of work when you want. For me the reduction in pay is worth it. But different if pay cut would have significant effect on family life.

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Nowaysis · 16/07/2014 20:21

I need to do some maths and get my spreadsheet out to work out exactly what I would take home Grin I love a spreadsheet!

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Pico2 · 16/07/2014 20:32

I'm not in your sort of role, but wondered whether working more flexibly over 4 or even 5 days might suit you. It depends on things like your commute, but I work 30 hours across 5 days and it means I see DD for a decent chunk of time before bedtime each day. Previously when I worked 4 days I typically got an hour with her in the evening. I much prefer seeing her for longer each day than having a full day off each week with her.

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Nowaysis · 16/07/2014 21:12

I had considered it Pico, but I can't see it working. Just knowing the nature of the role / job, if I knew I had to leave by 3pm or whatever to pick DD up from school,something would come up and it would leave me more stressed. I worked each day part time from when DD was 12 months old; I never felt like I switched off, constantly rushing around. Whereas with my day off now, I do switch off from work.

Have just spoken to DP about it again and he seems to think to stick to 4 days. Dont know what to do!!

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sozzap · 22/07/2014 19:52

I'm currently doing 3 days a week in a senior role team of 5, multi million pound budget etc. I absolutely think you can make it work you just have to be super efficient, very clear about what you can and can't take on, choose very carefully what projects you focus your time on and empower your team to step up and do some of the things that you might have otherwise done if you were full time. Too busy to think most days as am in back to back meetings but try to factor a day a week from home a couple of times a month to give me thinking space and no distractions. Have done the sums and going up to 4 days a week is not worth the extra effort due to straddling of tax bands. If you can get 3 days a week at a senior level go for it these opportunities are few and far between!

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LarkinSky · 22/07/2014 20:05

Go for it and set a great example to your bosses, clients and to all men and women coming up under you. Women like you can help build up a critical mass that proves P/T senior level positions are possible. Please! Smile

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upyourninja · 22/07/2014 20:11

I went from 5 days to 3 after maternity leave in my reasonably senior role in publishing. I'm now going back to 4 because I travel with work and was just acquiring days in lieu which I don't have time to take, and never felt I had time to get to grips with my workload.

I was also receiving calls and emails marked 'urgent' on my off days and just generally felt that I had the worst of all worlds. I'm not especially well paid but do love my job, and my industry, and I think we have some hugely positive management changes coming up.

On my four day schedule I've been invited to join some senior committees which will only benefit my career prospects.

I honestly don't know what's for the best for me - but I do know I'm hoping to have another child (and maternity leave) so it's worth trying to keep my pay up now and my company happy. My DH's job is hugely unpredictable but much better paid so I will always, always have to be the default person looking after our children.

It sounds like you have a good team and a lovely boss. I agree that a trial would be ideal. Would it be possible to switch to three days in the office and two mornings from home while your DD is at pre-school, maybe? Tbh time alone to away from work and children sounds pretty blissful Smile

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Nowaysis · 22/07/2014 20:59

Thank you again for the additional replies, it's great to hear some of you are successful doing this.

DP and I have discussed it and thought about it for a week and have decided that I stick at 4 days for now, with a view to starting a little later two days of the week so I can take DD to school.

The straddling of the tax bracket is the bit we've had to do the sums. If I went to 3 days, I would get a company car allowance but not car (and pro rays) if I do 4 days, I get a car or allowance (and the car would be fully paid one). So I'd have to purchase / lease hire a car (and run it) if I went down a day which I don't want to do.

It's been a hard decision but I feel I'm making the right one for now.

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GalaxyInMyPants · 22/07/2014 21:04

How about doing 7 days a fortnight? 3 one week, 4 the next.

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ABlandAndDeadlyCourtesy · 23/07/2014 07:03

Not the question you asked, but if you increased your pension contributions, you could go down to the lower tax band if that was affordable.

Or, could you negotiate a reduction in pay but increase in holiday days so you had more time to take off for your voluntary work?

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