3 ms·
I've had a 4-day work week (working 80%) for a while and it's great. If your circumstances allow you to do this (and I recognize that most people can't), I stro
by nonce42 11y ago
I've had a 4-day work week (working 80%) for a while and it's great. If your circumstances allow you to do this (and I recognize that most people can't), I strongly recommend it. I've been able to do a lot more on side projects (like blog posts). It also gives me much better "work-life balance" and more time to spend with my family - I know it's a cliche, but kids will be gone before you know it so spend time with them while you can.
A few disadvantages: First, I only get paid 80% as much. Second, it took a fair bit of effort at work to set this up at work; management was supportive, but they'd rather I worked 100% and it took multiple levels of approval. Third, this basically puts me off the career fast track. Fourth, from a social/cultural point of view, people don't really understand working 80% and I find it's easier not telling people about it (thus the throwaway).
- grecy 11y ago> First, I only get paid 80% as much When you consider tax, you're getting more than that.
- ghaff 11y agoNote though that your fully burdened cost to the company is something like your 1.3-1.5x your salary and things like health insurance are more or less a fixed cost to the employer independent of how many hours you work.
- grecy 11y agoRight, so you're better to work 80% time and still get full everything else. Yet another reason to not work 100% time
- ghaff 11y agoYet I see a lot of people who think 20% time off should "cost them" <= 20% reduction in salary. I agree that it's a good deal for (many) employees who value time off at least as highly as salary. But it's not such a great deal for the company making the offer.
- grecy 11y agoBut it's not such a great deal for the company making the offer. Exactly. Which tells you as an employee it's a good deal!