In the US, I work 4/10s which enables me to work a part-time job on the weekend and still have one day off to do chores and homework (I’m also a part-time student). It’s the only way my family can survive. Someday I hope to earn a living from just one job and relax on weekends.
For me, much better than that is that I’m working 100% from home now. I do my laundry on my lunch break, feel super relaxed while working, listening to a podcast of my own music. Also huge: no commuting.
I have an agreement with my boss that as long as I’m more or less available during office hours it’s fine if I take an hour to take a walk or get groceries. I even go to do sports twice a week now during office hours. (hours I compensate by working a bit extra where needed or when I have some time left)
The job itself is not the best career choice. I’ve been offered to 50% higher salary at other places but that would mean full time office, maybe one day per week WFH for some. They can forget it. My life has never felt this peaceful.
I did work it and what I did was that I pulled those two free days together so I had Friday the first week off then the weekend and then Monday the next week. So every second weekend was a very long 4 day weekend.
It changed to very positive, I was much much more relaxed, I used it to travel during the long weekends, not every time but regularly. Other than that I used it to just spent more time with my hobbies like music and photography and the gym, oh and also cooking at home.
I think it was way more worth to me than the 20% pay cut, I didn’t even feel the pay cut but I felt so much freedom with those long weekends.
My office has summer Friday hours where we end at lunch time during the summer months. Its amazing and it makes the summer extra special since I can enjoy my weekend earlier. We are suppose to make up the time by working an hour more each day but no on really checks.
I think I would prefer to do that year round than 4-day work weeks with the extra 2 hours each day.
I had 4-day week some years ago and the best thing was being able to visit businesses and government offices during regular business hours without much organizing (like taking a day off, trading shifts, etc).
I’ve been working a 4-day-week ever since our first child was born 5 years ago and decided to take Fridays off. The biggest change definitely has been that I’m far more able to enjoy weekends now. We can do our household chores on Friday so we can actually enjoy Saturdays and Sundays with activities or relaxing. The additional day of relaxation also led to me beeing ill more seldomly thus actually making me more ‘productive’ in other aspects.
I feel more balanced overall which is far more important for my wellbeing than the money I miss out on. I don’t think that even when the kids turn older that I will ever return to a 5-day-week since my life’s quality has immensely improved.
My job is a 4 ten hour day schedule and I love it compared to 5 eights. I’ll happily take longer work days for 3 days off. Also gives flexibility in the busy summer season when OT is available, can miss a day and make up for it another day, or put in OT and still have 2 days off rather than 1.
Not ideal compared to a 32 hour week for the same pay but I like it.
I work a 4x10 shift.
I got the short end of the stick so I get every Thursday off instead of a 3 day weekend.
Even so, it’s made a DRAMATIC difference in my life. I do chores, shopping, and home maintenance on Thursdays, and then actually spend weekends enjoying life with my family.
It’s great, but I am also the type of person that would work 2 x 20 hour shifts a week if I could. Long hours don’t bother me…the constant grind of eat/work/shower/sleep/repeat in a 5 day work week is what bothers me.
