What kind of self-moderation are we speaking? And what do your coworkers think. Do they consider talking about a 4 day work week with their employer, too?
My coworkers, particularly middle managers in the US expressed some envy, but applauded my negotiation and support me. I let my partner in engineering know before I said yes because I didn’t want them being surprised.
Self-moderation:
I have to be incredibly intentional about limiting my working hours. No one’s going to tell me to go home and I’ll feel the pressure to stay so I just have to commit.
No checking email or work slack after working hours. No. Matter. What.
Having four days has honed my ability to both prioritize and say no. But it also means those stupid meetings that are easier to say yes to and just kind of be there, I’m much more actively turning down. It’s hard to have defend the boundaries. But it’s worth it.
Yes, self-moderation and saying no are tough. But, if you relent once, you relent always. Never is better.
But it also means those stupid meetings that are easier to say yes to and just kind of be there, I’m much more actively turning down. It’s hard to have defend the boundaries. But it’s worth it.
It truly is. Hopefully, 4 day work will start to become the norm sooner rather than later. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I think it’s fair to say that I got lucky - you’re not wrong, they needed someone and I happened to have a very specific experience that matched with their need.
I met the team, I knew they liked me, and I really liked them. I also knew it was likely they couldn’t afford the comp I was getting at $lastjob.
My plan going in was to use that (scary to them, but very real) number to negotiate a four day work week at a full time salary. It worked out.
Negotiated a 4 day work week at my current job.
It’s worth it, but it requires heavy self-moderation to do it at an organization where everyone is 5 days.
AMA.
What kind of self-moderation are we speaking? And what do your coworkers think. Do they consider talking about a 4 day work week with their employer, too?
My coworkers, particularly middle managers in the US expressed some envy, but applauded my negotiation and support me. I let my partner in engineering know before I said yes because I didn’t want them being surprised.
Self-moderation:
Yes, self-moderation and saying no are tough. But, if you relent once, you relent always. Never is better.
It truly is. Hopefully, 4 day work will start to become the norm sooner rather than later. Thanks for sharing your experience.
How’d you manage to negotiate that? Must’ve needed you pretty bad if they were willing to relent an entire day. Salaried or hourly?
Salaried.
I think it’s fair to say that I got lucky - you’re not wrong, they needed someone and I happened to have a very specific experience that matched with their need.
I met the team, I knew they liked me, and I really liked them. I also knew it was likely they couldn’t afford the comp I was getting at $lastjob.
My plan going in was to use that (scary to them, but very real) number to negotiate a four day work week at a full time salary. It worked out.
So far so good.