Surprising results in a survey of 12 thousand people: “I can change jobs for four days of work”

A poll of 12,000 people by the employment firm Hays found that nearly two in three employees would support the transition to a four-day work week at the office.

One in three employers said that if staff spent all four days on the job, they would be more likely to adjust to the new work model.

Two of the three employees said they would consider changing jobs if another company offered a shorter work week. This rate has increased by more than 50% compared to a similar survey recorded last year.

The findings follow a recent trial in which 61 UK companies reduced their employees’ working hours by 20 per cent without any change to their pay.

In this trial, approximately 2,900 employees worked four days a week for six months beginning in June 2022.

REDUCED STRESS, INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

The surveys revealed that 39 percent of staff felt less stressed by reduced work hours, with bosses even reporting an increase in their productivity when income was flat.

Gaelle Blake, from Hays UK & Ireland, said: “It is clear from our research that there is growing interest in a four-day work week among professionals and employers alike.”

“But in reality, only 5% of respondents work in an organization where this is actually possible.”

“The shorter work week encourages staff to spend more time with their children or elderly parents, and the longer weekend gives them the opportunity to find new hobbies or interests.” saying.

The Covid-19 pandemic, which started in 2020, has prompted more workers to start working from home and adopt more flexible hours instead of the usual five-day work week of 09:00-17:00/18:00. .