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Another take, from Yogananda: put your energy into accomplishing things in the world but when your work day is done turn off your working engine. At 71 (I am s

Another take, from Yogananda: put your energy into accomplishing things in the world but when your work day is done turn off your working engine. At 71 (I am still working) I have had an unusual career. Since I was 25, for the most part I stopped working full time, capping my work at 32 hours a week. I was able to do this at some great companies working in great teams. My boss from 40 years ago visited me [1] from out of town 6 weeks ago and I apologized a little for causing him any hassles because of this. He laughed and said that while it was true that I was missed in my no work Mondays, that I was the easiest person he ever managed because I really focused on my 4 work days. [1] so far this year, I have had 4 visits from old coworkers who traveled to my town, ranging from working together 1 year ago to 40 years ago. I like to keep in touch with people.

akudha 4y ago
This is awesome. How did you manage to convince your employers, of 4 day work week? I was just thinking about it, I don't think there is any chance that I can convince my own employer of it :(
- tpxl 4y ago
  You can try for shorter work days (5x6hr), and once that proves to work, go for 4x8hr?
- mark_l_watson 4y ago
  I read the employee handbook, in its entirety. It said that in order to get all fringe benefits, a salaried employee must work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Another section said that if full time salaried employees worked less than 40 hours a week, then their paycheck would be prorated. I did give up 20% of my salary and occasionally when there was an emergency and everyone showed up Saturday morning to make a delivery, I would also show up and not bill for those hours. This only happened a few times a year. If you don’t ask for stuff, you are unlikely to get it.
- karl42 4y ago
  I managed to convince my last five employers to let me work a four day week or less. Usually, I asked for it during the interview and accepted the job offer where they said "yes". That will rule out some jobs, but overall I can recommend the approach, as long as you don't have trouble finding jobs even without that requirement.

akudha 4y ago

This is awesome. How did you manage to convince your employers, of 4 day work week? I was just thinking about it, I don't think there is any chance that I can convince my own employer of it :(

tpxl 4y ago
You can try for shorter work days (5x6hr), and once that proves to work, go for 4x8hr?
mark_l_watson 4y ago
I read the employee handbook, in its entirety. It said that in order to get all fringe benefits, a salaried employee must work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Another section said that if full time salaried employees worked less than 40 hours a week, then their paycheck would be prorated. I did give up 20% of my salary and occasionally when there was an emergency and everyone showed up Saturday morning to make a delivery, I would also show up and not bill for those hours. This only happened a few times a year. If you don’t ask for stuff, you are unlikely to get it.
karl42 4y ago
I managed to convince my last five employers to let me work a four day week or less. Usually, I asked for it during the interview and accepted the job offer where they said "yes". That will rule out some jobs, but overall I can recommend the approach, as long as you don't have trouble finding jobs even without that requirement.