Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#1

Post by bwb » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 6:49 PM UTC

#1 - Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could? Why or why not?

#2 - Would you do it if it also meant you made 80% of your current comp? Why or why not?

Someone asked something similar about 4 years ago, but I wanted to see how the sentiment has changed and what you think :).

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#2

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:11 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#3

Post by wolco » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:13 PM UTC

If it was optional and the company offered optional Saturdays at 20% more to balance out everything.

There are a lot of advantages to a free business day.

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#4

Post by AnIdiotOnTheNet » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:17 PM UTC

I would switch to a 2.5 day work week or possible even less, with proportional cut in pay, if I could.

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#5

Post by bwb » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:20 PM UTC

AnIdiotOnTheNet wrote: post #4

I would switch to a 2.5 day work week or possible even less, with proportional cut in pay, if I could.

Gotcha, what is preventing you? Have you tried talking to your current company? Asking out of curiosity :)

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#6

Post by klogilmo » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:24 PM UTC

1. Yes I totally would love it and think all Americans should go to a 10-hour, 4-day work week. Two days off is not enough. The Europeans have far more vacation time than us. What's disheartening is that we spend more days at work than not - at least this would even the playing field a little. It feels like your whole life is there then. I would be in favor of someone starting a movement to change this across the U.S. 2. Officially my answer is yes because I value the time off with my family. However, I would argue that a 4-day work weeks can save companies money (i.e. don't have to pay utilities on the 5th day the business is closed) and therefore the cut isn't needed. And I'm still working the same amount of hours, so why cut?

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#7

Post by uranium » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:28 PM UTC

Yup. Did it. I'm so fortunate to have been able to afford it, and it's been awesome.

When my first child was born, I dropped down to 3 days a week, at 60% pay/vesting/etc., but full medical (Google was awesome about it). After a few years, I moved to a new position that I felt really passionate about (Makani at Google[x]), and went up to 4 days a week to make that possible. After a few years there and the birth of another child, I left Alphabet and now work 2 days a week at Elemeno Health (who are hiring for a full time Lead Engineer, BTW; see https://angel.co/company/elemeno-health/jobs).

It's really life-changing. I've been able to be a much more involved parent than I ever could have working full time. My wife also works part-time [more like 80%] and it's such a big plus.

If you want to try it, and can find a supporting company, true work-life balance is amazing. You may have to pick the right projects, that are well-suited to a reduced duty cycle, but with the right fit, it works great.

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#8

Post by bwb » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:30 PM UTC

uranium wrote: post #7

Yup. Did it. I'm so fortunate to have been able to afford it, and it's been awesome. When my first child was born, I dropped down to 3 days a week, at 60% pay/vesting/etc., but full medical (Google was awesome about it). After a few years, I moved to a new position that I felt really passionate about (Makani at Google[x]), and went up to 4 days a week to make that possible. After a few years there and the birth of an…

That is awesome, thank you for sharing! Since you mentioned picking the right projects... if other people are doing 5 days a week, how do you find the right project and stay on top of it if you are out 1 or 2 days a week?

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#9

Post by bwb » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:31 PM UTC

klogilmo wrote: post #6

1. Yes I totally would love it and think all Americans should go to a 10-hour, 4-day work week. Two days off is not enough. The Europeans have far more vacation time than us. What's disheartening is that we spend more days at work than not - at least this would even the playing field a little. It feels like your whole life is there then. I would be in favor of someone starting a movement to change this across the U.S…

Would you ever want to do less than 40 hours, so 4 days of 8 hours for 32 hours a week?

Re: Ask HN: Would you switch to a 4-day-a-week schedule if you could?

#10

Post by jborichevskiy » Thu, Oct 10, 2019, 7:35 PM UTC

Back when I was working full time - absolutely. The reduction in pay would be expected.

I suspect I'd be happiest with 2-3 days a week, with the rest of the time being put into education/personal projects (with a proportional paycut).