Most employers insist on a full work day and do not offer a reduced day. I would love to be able to scale back my work hours, but less than full time is nonexistent where I work. So it's either full time or nothing.

I am on "flexi" time with my employer which means I can alter my working hours to suit, within reason, but I still have to ensure that I work the full week.

I would love to be able to do less hours and spend more time at home, especially with my wee one almost due. But I cannot afford to cut my hours.

I don't feel that, for me, its a culture thing, I don't think my job is respected in the community; my partner is on incapacity and we would probably manage to scrape by if I reduced my hours.

My partner and I have discussed this, and yes, it may cause some problems but as I've said I have the benefit of flexitime which means I can still get some quality time in.

Damm right - work is the tradition male escape from screaming kids and nagging wives. A couple of days with the newborn is more than enough then its back to earning the bread.