https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 22:37:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46543 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:42:30 +0000 Lozza 46543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, I think I'd take a cue from your coworkers. If 75% is going well for them, I think that might be your answer. If they're technically 75% but still doing just as much as they were when they were 100%, but now they do it at 11PM from home instead of 3 PM at the office? Not worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46540 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:39:44 +0000 Lozza 46540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Many women in my office are 80%-ers and take Friday off. I would if we had a daycare setup that wouldn't require me to pay for Friday, whether we used it or not. I actually also think that if I knew I'd have Fridays off, I'd probably be more productive Mon-Thurs because I wouldn't be trying to fit in things that could otherwise be done on Fridays (like appointments and errands and emails and other stuff).<br /> I will say, however, that my supervisor is only technically supposed to be 60% and in the office on Tues/Wed/Thurs, but she has so many responsibilities that she can't pass off that she ends up working way more hours than that and kind of gets screwed... so before you take the official cut in hours and pay and benefits, make sure expectations are clear that unless there are extenuating circumstances, Fridays are not "out of the office but on call," they are "unavailable and workload/expectations should be adjusted accordingly." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46518 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:19:38 +0000 Rubies 46518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will be going back full-time. For us, it's all about finances and I need to be back at work. In a few years we will be able to have me stay at home for good if I choose to, but I enjoy working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46458 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:03:57 +0000 winniebee 46458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for these responses! So helpful to hear others' experiences and perspectives. </p> <p>@plantains: Yes, definitely. I think it is much better perceived here to start off at the reduced schedule and go to 5 days rather than the reverse.</p> <p>@Witz: Thanks for your response! I could put the baby in day care if I had to go into the office on my day off (for $100 a day...) or I could ask my mom or MIL to help out for the day esp. if it was a once in awhile thing (like if I was on trial or had a big project due). I think I could do the hours in 4 days, even if I worked 8-5...but may have to do an extra hour or two of work on occasion over the weekend. Currently, I don't have a problem making my hours and I usually only work weekends if I'm gearing up for or am on trial. I think you can tell what way I'm leaning : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46457 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:58:04 +0000 Witz 46457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you worked on the fifth day, would you have to put you little one in day care for an additional day? How much more would that cost? Another factor is whether you think you can meet 75% of your billable hours in only 4 days a week?</p> <p>My husband and I are both attorneys and work long hours, so I feel like our work situations are comparable to yours and your husband's... if it were me, I would take the pay cut in exchange for the reduced schedule and billables, and just make it work financially, even if that means cutting back for a couple of years. With the long hours that we both work, having one extra day a week at home would be nice, so that I could have more time for errands, laundry, etc., and, most significantly, additional time with my baby! </p> <p>That being said, I think this is a super personal choice -- which would you rather have, the time or the money? </p> <p>One last thought, if it were me and I decided to take the reduced pay and hours, I would try very hard to create a precedent that I *do not* take work calls or answer emails on my day off unless it's an absolute emergency situation. If you're going to be paid 25% less, you should at least be free of work stress on your day off, you know? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46456 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:56:50 +0000 plantains 46456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have the option to start back on the four day work week for a few months until you get used to being back at work and then ramp back up to 5 days/ People have done this in my office and it seems to have worked really well for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46436 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:25:21 +0000 winniebee 46436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: We are really lucky....mom will be around if the baby is ever sick, too! Or, I can work from home. DH will never have that option, unfortunately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46433 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:20:26 +0000 lemondrop 46433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave up my full-time teaching job when I became pregnant. </p> <p>Fortunately/unfortunately, it has taken until literally 2 weeks before my leave to find and train a replacement, and I told them right after my first doctor's appointment. </p> <p>I will return to work, but minimally and as an administrative assistant instead of an instructor- we don't want to pay for day care, so I will work on my husband's week day off and fill in hours as needed in the evenings working on projects. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46430 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:18:34 +0000 Andrea 46430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: That is good that you have your mom for back up, though. Also keep in mind that the baby may get sick sometimes from daycare germies and that is additional time you/DH need off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46429 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:18:18 +0000 heffalump 46429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's just a personal decision and it depends on your priorities. I'm a sahm so we only have one income. We're pretty broke, but I'd rather be broke and have that time with my lo<br /> Other people would rather not have to worry about money and work a little more. I don't think there's a right or wrong, just different people's preference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46428 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:13:54 +0000 winniebee 46428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: The day care that we are likely going with is 7-6. I usually work 8:30-6:30/6:45 but after baby will need to leave work at 5 to get the baby (with the exception of one day when my mom will be watching and I will be flexible). My husband may be able to do pickup occasionally but I can't depend on him because his schedule is not his own. Another issue to consider.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46427 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:10:31 +0000 Modern Daisy 46427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've spoken to other women in my office about this recently and it doesn't look good any way you slice it. One woman currently out on maternity leave requested to be able to work from home on Friday's and was denied. I've also heard that another woman who has been working 3 day workweeks will no longer be able to do that starting this year, they are taking that benefit away from mothers - even at a pay cut.</p> <p>My sister works a 4 day workweek at 75% of the pay, but still has the same workload she did at a 5 day workweek. The only benefit is obviously she gets to be home on Fridays and not respond to calls or emails, but the rest of the week is hellish.</p> <p>I think what I will do is not request any kind of regular work from home compensation, but ask my Boss for flex work from home days while providing proof of childcare. I think she would be a lot more agreeable to something like that. It isn't a defined schedule, just maybe 4 or 5 flex days a month or something. Right now, I'm not pregnant and I'm not a mother and she lets me work from home anytime I ask, which is usually a couple times a month. So I think as long as I'm getting my work done she won't have a problem with giving me a couple more days a month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46426 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:10:17 +0000 Andrea 46426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to arrange my schedule according to the daycare's hours. They are only open from 7-6 so I was no longer able to work late and had to cut hours. Do you know how late your daycare will stay open? </p> <p>When I first went back to work, I took Friday's off which was a total life saver! My daughter still went to daycare but on that day I could clean, do laundry, grocery shop, cook etc so that I wouldn't have to spend all weekend doing those things. It really helped ease back into things but eventually I did start working Fridays again once my daughter was older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/returning-to-work-what-capacity#post-46419 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:34 +0000 winniebee 46419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For those of you who worked pre-baby and decided to go back to work after your maternity leave, how did you decide whether to go back full or part time? </p> <p>I can return to work at 4 days a week, but it's 75% pay and 75% billable hours (I'm a lawyer). I keep going back and forth about what to do. </p> <p>PROS of 4 days: Obviously, an extra day with LO will be great. Also, my husband works crazy hours (80-90 hours a week, he's a resident) and I know life will be even more crazy after the baby arrives. I'll basically still be doing the grocery shopping, cooking, bill paying so being able to do it on the weekend and then have a guilt free day with the baby (my day "off") is appealing. Finally, all of the women in my office come back at 75% capacity so I don't want to be held to a different standard. </p> <p>CONS: On the other hand, a 25% paycut will be a huge cut, especially because we will be paying daycare for 3 days a week. I currently make double my husband's salary but in a few years my husband will be the primary breadwinner. I mean, we could do it, but it will be a major hit to our lifestyle and savings plans. Another con - sometimes the women that work 4 days have to check emails and put in a few hours of work on their day off. </p> <p>How did you decide?? </p>