Since I’ve come back to work from maternity leave I have really struggled, I feel like I’ve got two full time jobs – being a mum and being a wage slave, neither of which I am doing particularly well at, I’m just so exhausted!

I’ve found a little known and well hidden policy at work which means I can ask for a temporary (up to 12 months) reduction in hours. I’ve worked out if I went down to a four day week I would only be £100 worse off a month by the time I have factored in childcare.

I’m just worried will people think I am lazy? I don’t want a day off a week to sit around watching daytime TV, I want to spend quality time with my baby, do our shopping, go to the library, organise our finances, keep on top of the housework… all the stuff I don’t get time for now! 4 years ago

am so busy with intense work, intense family commitments, there’s just no time for me and chill out – time to work a four day week – one day just for pleasing myself! 4 years ago