More pay or less hrs? what would motivate you more?

bigmike20vt said:
interesting to see i am definitely not the only one...... I wonder why in general then that the argument in the office (our office at least) always tends to be towards pay rises rather than hr cuts.

maybe it is just what we are used to, programmed to always look onwards and upwards.
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Because our society and economy is just one big advertisement tempting you to buy stuff which you don't need.

I am not getting high and mighty about it or saying I am immune to it, because I can be as susceptible to it as the next person, but it is a problem.
 
I did similar when my daughter was born, dropping my Friday (but not getting paid for it either!) I agree, it was superb, both for the extra time with my daughter, and the massive improvement in work life balance from the longer weekend and shorter week.

Her starting school coincided with my employer at the time declaring that we were going to have to move down south or be made redundant in a year or two - so I moved back to full time as I didn't 'need' the Friday off any more, and it would maximise my redundancy payout.

I've stayed full time since, into my new job and employer (here for 6 years now). I certainly would like to reduce my hours. But my worry is that dropping a single day would leave me expected to still do the same amount of work in less hours. Dropping two days on the other hand would obviously make a sizeable dent in my income. So as things stand, I stay at full time.

Mind you, throughout December I worked 4 day weeks too, as I had some holidays to use up. That was heavenly too!
 
bigmike20vt said:
interesting to see i am definitely not the only one...... I wonder why in general then that the argument in the office (our office at least) always tends to be towards pay rises rather than hr cuts.

maybe it is just what we are used to, programmed to always look onwards and upwards.
Click to expand...

I feel the same. Any extra pay and you're already losing one-thirds of it to the tax man. Extra holidays or reduced hours doesn't go to the tax man. I would be happy to work 80% time (e.g. Fridays off) because that is still far better than being on jobseekers.
 
I wouldn't take a pay cut for it, but if in my next pay review I was given the option of e.g. 10% pay rise for same hours, or 10% less hours for same pay, then I'd probably take the 10% less hours assuming I could condense that into 4 days/week as per the OP.
 
bigmike20vt said:
This came up in another thread but rather than me derail there i thought i would ask here.

Generally at my work most people are constantly hoping for pay rises... And i know there is a minimum, and at some point if you do not get that minimum you NEED more money... but i am wondering at what point reducing hrs and emplying an extra person would be more beneficial to morale and output.

7 years ago we had a child, and along with contract issues at work, combined with me wanting to have a day to spend with my baby I chose to take a 12% paycut and hr cut and work 4 (longish) days a week.

Without having a child and without being told there would be a job loss unless between us we cut some hrs I never would have done it........... But now i have it is one of the best work decisions i have ever made, and if i have my way i will never work another Friday again.

For me my Friday off is far more precious to me than £300 a month.

Am i in a minority? perhaps i am just not ambitious enough.
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I feel the same and have asked about it because in Switzerland 80% positions are fairly common, but working for a US enterprise the concept is totally alien.
 
When I worked it was always more pay, for more hours as I had house, kids, cars, cats etc to support. I had money for luxuries, but did the hours to pay for them. I had an interesting job, that was well paid and most people would have killed for. Now retired - in hindsight I wished I hadn't worked so many hours. :)
 
I reckon many of us would benefit from more time away from work to spend as our own time and/or family time, while for many it could well improve their productivity when at work and for some in physical roles, vastly reduce body wear and tear.

3-4 day working weeks, with a max of ~35 hours per week, should be the norm IMO.
 
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Last year when I was 64 I decided to go on 2 days a week and I'm living the dream.
I need to get out a couple of days and my job is easy so I don't mind, I can also do one day at home but so far I don't mind the 4.5 mile cycle ride.
I'm already thinking that if I'm still living at 66 I might continue.
 
I suppose it's different for everyone.

I am pretty lucky so less hours for the same pay as the wife also works so I would choose that for her too,

Bottom line though most people are not as fortunate so more pay would give them a little more breathing room.
 
Earlier in my career when I wasn't earning so much - definitely more money. This allowed me to buy a house, make savings etc.

At this stage in my career - 50/50 - it would be a bit of judgement to make. I'm generally comfortable with how much I earn but certainly not at a ceiling yet.

Later in my career - probably less hours to have time to enjoy the money i'm earning.
 
I work 3.5 days a week but maximise my hours on those days in. I still earn over national average but have plenty of time at home. Save more money on fuel. I do about 2000 miles a year on commute. I haven't even noticed the recent fuel price increase as I barely fill once in 6 weeks.

I used to work Mon-Fri but much prefer the current setup. Working a longer 12 hour working day but having more time off is fantastic.

Now my son is going to nursery I have thought about Monday to Thursday. That would be the perfect balance.
 
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I would absolutely take a 4 day week for. 5k less now. Really can't feel difference at this point in salary scale.

Might even take more of a cut

Think 10k would be to much of a cut but 5-7k? yeah I'd take the cut

Even better would be more holiday days.
I'd take the same cut for double the holiday
 
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Both!
I don't like working Fridays so I have a 36hr contract and have a Friday off every other week.

I am on standby for half the month 24/7. I don't mind being called at night or so because I get a standby fee + can do hourly wage *200% or * 300% ( depending on time and day). I mean even if a call takes me 5-10 mins I can always write an hour.

It earns me a steady 15-20k extra every year (before taxes then, so half that).
 
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To add. I don't really notice the extra between 40k something and 50k something.

Its now time off I'm lacking.
But going down to upper 30s? That would be too much of a squeeze.

Need that salary to make most of the time
 
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