I'm getting the look now when I have to explain that I don't work Fridays.
"oh, did you go to four 10's?"
"no, four 8's" (here's where the look comes in)
"did you have to take a pay cut?"
"yes"
"oh, I'm sorry!"
"don't be, I asked for it!" (the look returns)
ha ha ha this is funny
Short story: I have two kids, and I took a reduction in hours twice when they were young (totally acceptable if you are a mom, even still hard to get).
In any event, late last year one of my coworkers/ former bosses (I've had almost as many bosses here as years here) asked me about "the deal" when working PT, because I'm the only one he knows who has done it. Basically, he's early 60s, getting frustrated, and wanted to start easing into retirement. He doesn't need the full salary, but he does need the benefits, and was getting tired of the BS. I said "30 hours to keep the benefits". (I did 30 hrs the first time around and 32 the second, because part time is still salaried. So I found that even at 30 hrs I was working 32. Might as well get paid for the 2.)
At first he was bummed because he was hoping for 25, but then he realized that he could just take PTO for those 5 hours during most weeks.
Anyway, you'd be surprised at the comments I've gotten from other senior (as in, high in the company, and also older than me - meaning late 50's early 60's) people about his "great deal". I said "what do you mean?" "Well, he just doesn't have to work as many hours, and he gets paid for them! So, here we are all working 50 hrs and only getting paid for 40, and he gets to work 30 and get paid for 30. It's not really fair."
I pointed out that even at "30 hours" there are weeks he's working more than that, and only getting paid for 30. Yes, having that kind of deal, if you are firm about your hours (for me, it was that I had to leave at X time to get the kids, for him it's just not coming into work until noon some days) means you are better off. Less "free work".
What these people COMPLETELY missed is that the company can't really take advantage of you (completely) without your permission. You don't HAVE to work 50 hours a week.