[jasonkester]

I got a big boost in quality of life when I dropped down to 4 day weeks.

Working a full time job, I had gone from my usual "doctor visit every 10 years" to "doctor visit at least once a year", with an added flu or something each year on top of that. So when kid #2 came along, I used the excuse to drop down to 4 day weeks, and once the family was ticking away on all cylinders again I started using that extra day for climbing, cycling, and other "selfish" things. The idea being that this was "my day" and not just an extra day to do errands.

Boy what a difference it made. I haven't had more than a case of the sniffles since. I'm healthier, happier, and get to spend more time with the family.

I've since packed in the job entirely (to live off my business stuff full time) but if I do ever take another full time job, I'll be sure to negotiate 4 (or even 3) day weeks in to the contract. It's just night and day.

[selmat]

I have similar experience with switching to full time home-office. No open-office jerks, noise, air-condition/heating/light fighting. I am more happier, don't get work issues personally and so seriously, less stress, better thinking and working environment. Have stand-up desk with large display. Enviroment which I like the most. I can help my wife with our kids. I am satisfied as never before. I am not able to go back to open-office environment anymore.

[conorgil145]

What do you do that you can work a 4 day week? Was it difficult to convince your company to accommodate that? I know there are some companies out there which do 4 day work weeks (e.g. Treehouse), but it definitely not the norm.

[jasonkester]

It was a developer gig. And I had negotiated my employment as a 1099 contract (which you should always do, by the way, for lots of reasons besides just this) so the conversation went something along the lines of "Hey, I'm going to drop down to 4 day weeks."

In reality, all companies allow this sort of working arrangement. If it's not explicitly offered to everybody, it can be a matter of proving your value, making yourself indispensable, then negotiating from a place of strength.

Good developers are really hard to find (and keep) in this market. Smart employers won't want to lose you over something as silly as this, so they'll find a way to accommodate it.

[emilburzo]

Now if only I could find a remote company like that...