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Unpopular opinion: Weekdays/weekend split isn't for everyone

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Re: Unpopular opinion: Weekdays/weekend split isn't for everyone

#21
post #9

This was the topic of a video [0] posted by CGP Grey on the 25th August. Not mainstream, but I think the idea has been popular for a while [1]. >6.4 >A manager went to his programmers and told them: "As regards to your work hours: you are going to have to come in at nine in the morning and leave at five in the afternoon." At this, all of them became angry and several resigned on the spot. >So the manager said: "All r…

Of course people want flexibility, but there are cons-

>Much more difficult for collaboration especially for small questions

>Bad workers exploring nice policies

Pros-

>I can sleep/think about code without being paid. Making my solutions lower cost and higher quality

>Happier employees

>Potentially less micro management needed

Re: Unpopular opinion: Weekdays/weekend split isn't for everyone

#25
post #15
post #4

I currently work a 4 day week with Wednesdays off and it's like magic

Same here! Wednesday used to be the day I had college while working four days a week but when I quit college it just became my day off. I find that it works quite well for me while most of my colleagues seem to prefer having a three day weekend with either Friday or Monday being their day off. I suppose there's pros and cons to either approach (which I haven't really researched at all yet) but to me right now breakin…

It probably depends on whether you tend to favor a midweek break or whether you want to take trips or do other activities on weekends that benefit from a longer block of time. (If you just hang around the house or otherwise do short local activities I'm guessing people are more likely to "waste" that extra weekend day than if it's a midweek break.)

Re: Unpopular opinion: Weekdays/weekend split isn't for everyone

#26
post #14
post #3

I tend to agree. There are some days in the week when I'm not checked in mentally and very unproductive. During those days, I'm better served to either sleep more or do something light to recharge for the next day/later in the week. And then there are some days including the weekend where I can code for the entire day non-stop and feel energetic. I still think having standardized days for working and rest is best for…

When I was at Big Tech Company I would just tell my boss if I was having one of those days and make it up on the weekend rather than using PTO. It was never a problem. It's amazing how much a good professional relationship with management helps.

I'm not sure what issue people have with this statement. Sure, if you have collaborative work you need to do that you're just going to blow off. But in general?

There have been a number of times in the current situation where it's been a nice day and the weekend has a lousy forecast and I didn't have any meetings or only had them in the morning. I've just told my manager I'm taking the afternoon off and would make it up on Saturday. TBH, I didn't even really need to ask. I'm not sure why this would be controversial.

Re: Unpopular opinion: Weekdays/weekend split isn't for everyone

#27
By prefixing a title with “Unpopular Opinion” an author is essentially applying for a license to say something unpopular and not get too criticized for it. This is cowardly, people should just state their opinions and be open to whatever reaction it spawns.

Re: Unpopular opinion: Weekdays/weekend split isn't for everyone

#28
post #4

I currently work a 4 day week with Wednesdays off and it's like magic

Having every second week a Friday off (or random other weekday, if I announce it ahead of time) gives me an amazing amount of breathing room and flexibility compared to my girlfriend who has to be on the clock 10:00-16:30 ("key hours") every day of the week without fail (well, holidays, but those are planned months ahead and not flexible at all). It docks 10% of my pay but it's so worth it.

Re: Unpopular opinion: Weekdays/weekend split isn't for everyone

#29
post #9

This was the topic of a video [0] posted by CGP Grey on the 25th August. Not mainstream, but I think the idea has been popular for a while [1]. >6.4 >A manager went to his programmers and told them: "As regards to your work hours: you are going to have to come in at nine in the morning and leave at five in the afternoon." At this, all of them became angry and several resigned on the spot. >So the manager said: "All r…

Of course people want flexibility, but there are cons- >Much more difficult for collaboration especially for small questions >Bad workers exploring nice policies Pros- >I can sleep/think about code without being paid. Making my solutions lower cost and higher quality >Happier employees >Potentially less micro management needed

You can make 1pm to 5pm as mandatory, so both the 9-5 folks and 1pm to 9pm folks have some overlap for synchronization, meetings and such.

As for people exploiting it, you should measure relative performance and not but time

One of my first startups I worked had a noon-4pm core hours. You had to be in by noon, and should stay until 4pm, the rest was flexible. I thought it worked really well for both early risers and late owls.

Re: Unpopular opinion: Weekdays/weekend split isn't for everyone

#30
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of course people want flexibility, but there are cons- >Much more difficult for collaboration especially for small questions >Bad workers exploring nice policies Pros- >I can sleep/think about code without being paid. Making my solutions lower cost and higher quality >Happier employees >Potentially less micro management needed

You can make 1pm to 5pm as mandatory, so both the 9-5 folks and 1pm to 9pm folks have some overlap for synchronization, meetings and such. As for people exploiting it, you should measure relative performance and not but time One of my first startups I worked had a noon-4pm core hours. You had to be in by noon, and should stay until 4pm, the rest was flexible. I thought it worked really well for both early risers and…

12-3 is what I prefer for mandatory hours. I'm still going to see you if you are a 6am early bird.
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