If we were all honest, do we really want to work full-time?

Hey, I'd like to know how many people actually want to work full-time. I realise it's a reality for many as they need the money and I know alot of people do enjoy their jobs. Personally, I work part-time and if I was totally honest, I don't like the idea of working full-time. I feel like if you admit that then you get met with disapproval. But really, wouldn't the full-timers be a bit more content with a four day week? It would leave more time to get things done and/or more time with friends and family. Please answer my poll, thanks!

I'm a workaholic, I'd be nothing without my work 6
I love working full-time 4
I'd rather have a four day week 24
I would only ever actually want to work part-time 21
Ideally, I wouldn't work at all 50
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Comments ( 25 )
  • Yes and I'll tell you why.

    1) I don't have friends here.
    2) I don't have family here.
    3) I can't get anything done on days off anyways no matter how hard I try.
    3) Work forces me to get up.

    When I have two or more days off I just sleep all day and I start to go crazy. Works not much fun either but it keeps me busy/distracted.

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    • RomeoDeMontague

      This^

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  • little_freak

    Nobody can give a purpose to their life while working 40 hours a week, unless their work is truly their calling in life, like a doctor or something like that. But for the average worker, sandwich-maker and such, they surely need more time for themselves.

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  • q25t

    Well, ideally I'd not work at all. I'd stay home and do research on various projects that I'd like to do but never seem to have time for.

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  • I voted "ideally I dont want to work at all"

    And anyone else who didnt is lying to us and to themselves.

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    • Isabella80s

      Ha ha... I don't know, I think some people really need the structure to be content.

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  • Avant-Garde

    I don't have a job, but if I did I'd probably do part-time first to test the waters and then if I really needed it and could handle it, I would do the full-time.

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  • Mando

    You can be rewardingly active and engaged without it being work.

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    • Isabella80s

      I agree, Mando. However, society as a whole seems to place more value on working and earning. Clearly, all that can should make some effort to do this and pay taxes etc. BUT I do feel that those that aren't a cog in the wheel and working full time come under more criticsm than they perhaps deserve. In turn, other pursuits are often undervalued. Volunteering, for example, IS valued, but only in the short term - it's not held as highly as working and earning money, when infact it's a really positive, selfless thing to do.

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  • dirtybirdy

    I hate my job but I love that I'm my own boss. I guess I would stop working because I have other things I can do to make money that I actually enjoy. I would have to keep busy or I would go totally nuts. I can not be sedentary.

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  • dappled

    Because the sector I work in is in financial trouble, we were all offered the chance to either work fewer days per year or fewer days per week. There was no way in a million years I would take it but my decision was solely financial.

    If I didn't pay insane rent, and didn't live on my own, and if I wasn't permanently terrified of how little savings I have, then I would definitely have elected to work four days per week and perhaps have an extra week or two off per year.

    Last weekend was the first time in six weeks when I had two consecutive days completely free to do what I want with. It's not good enough.

    I like working and I'd rather work than not work, but not these hours.

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  • flowerchild94

    I mean it would be awesome to be rich without doing anything at all.. but that's not going to happen and dwelling on that (which I use to) really makes adapting to work-life harder. My main motivator is getting that Thursday paycheck and knowing my bills are going to be paid.

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  • mablady45

    YES unless you a lazy individual with zero ambition and happy living cradle to grave off of the tax payers. You could do that, but isn't that rather boring. Who really wants to be a boring person?

    Mablady45

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  • charli.m

    Given the choice, I would work part time. I'm working five 10-13 hour days, so even a reduction to normal fulltime hours sounds attractive.

    I was hoping to cut down to four days next year, but I don't think it's going to actually happen. My clients seem to have other ideas :(

    When/if I have kids, I'd still like to work part time. That's the plan, anyway. I'll have to see if it pans out.

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  • Isabella80s

    Thanks very much for replies. I'm suprised the winning poll option is not working at all. Personally, I'd choose working part-time. The four day week option is popular too - I really think this should happen! Yes it would have an impact on the economy... BUT how much less stressed out would people be? I've seen some seriously stressed out behaviour from people in public recently : / Less stress = better health, state of mind, clearer thinking, better relationships - the list goes on. Ok, so you wouldn't earn as much money which obviously is important too. Pros and cons! Perhaps a slightly longer working day but only for four days would work. So the traditional 9-5 turns into 8-5 or 9-6?

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  • NeuroNeptunian

    Yes, I really do want to.

    Working full time gives my life structure and it gives me goals to fulfill and something to do. Hobbies and leisure don't fill the same need that working and doing something constructive does. If I was only working part time, then I would take more classes in college (I am already going full-time). I couldn't imagine just working part time and having THAT much spare time on my hands. I have to be doing something.

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  • lc1988

    Um I like having health insurance so full time please

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    • Isabella80s

      Hmm... I know how lucky the UK are to have the NHS! I've been thinking about this a lot recently along with following the US election. I trust you're gonna vote Obama...? I know I would. Apologies for bringing politics into it, but his healthcare policy is ten times more appealing than Romney's. I'm worried for America if Romney gets in.

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      • lc1988

        Actually, I'm not registered to vote in the state I just recently moved to and I'm not excited for obamacare. It's just another glorified Medicaid. Anyway, neither are up to par. Obama wants to cut benefits to military which I very well may marry into soon so either way I'm screwed

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  • NothingxCrazy

    I'd like to say I wouldn't want to work at all. I know that as soon as that happened I'd be bored out of my mind and I'd feel bad about myself for being so lazy. I do enjoy working as long as I like what I'm doing and the people I'm working with. I enjoy my current job but I've been screwed over by the people I work for so I'm not too happy about that. But money is money right now.

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  • Shackleford96

    Honestly, if I had the proper finances, no. I wouldn't work full time. However, that is not to say that I wouldn't still want to still be productive with my time.

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  • NotStrangeBird

    I work insane hours for months at a time with no days off and then get months off at a time with nothing to do except whatever the hell i want.

    The working and living conditions can be downright horrible, but the pay is decent. I'm not a huge spender so the cash tends to pile up to the point where i wonder why i bother working.

    I have really not wanted for money for 20 years, although i don't have a butler or Bentley. Hell, I'll never touch major league minimum.

    I do get bored sometimes at home and i do miss aspects of my work, but sitting around watching tv beats busting my ass any day of the week.

    On the other hand, when I'm home i feel that I'm wasting time and potential to earn. If i truly was financially independent i would never work again except for the many projects i do in my off time which can be pretty hard work themselves (i can't sit around watching tv and drinking beer every day for months after all).

    It's a schizophrenic lifestyle but I'm used to it now. Long story short, I'd go part time doing what i like ideally.

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  • KeddersPrincess

    If I'm doing what I want to do.

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  • yesnomaybeso

    I don't have a job and I have never had any, but I think that if i worked part time for all my life, i'd get bored. jeez, i'd have loads of free time?

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  • anti-hero

    Hell fucking no. I want to win the lottery and never work again.

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