New research boosts calls for a four day week

A survey of nearly 2000 parents lends more weight to calls for a four day week. And the findings show a shocking one in three people say their current working arrangement is taking a toll on their personal life.

Over half of respondents taking part in the research by office furniture supplier Viking said they’d enough of the Monday-Friday. However employees are still happy to do as many hours. The most popular potential pattern for the four day week is working 8-6 Monday to Thursday and starting the weekend with Friday off.

60% said they wanted to work at least some of the week at home while one in five preferred working from home almost all the time.

Clearly working from home doesn’t work for every job – teachers for example need to be in the classroom. The biggest demand for home-working came from people employed in the PR and publishing industries.

Benefits to business

The demand for different ways of working is likely to only increase given 29% of those in the survey said their current working arrangement has a negative impact on their life away from the workplace.

Although the research was focussed on employees the results showed bosses stand to benefit from embracing flexible work. Those questioned cited a number of upsides to changing their hours.

• 70% think it would make them happier
• 65% say it would reduce stress
• 62% think it would boost relationships
• 51% think it would increase motivation
• 54% would be more creative
• 68% would be better rested

On the company’s blog Viking summed up the findings, “Our survey shows that the 9 to 5 way of working is not the way forward for most employees, the pressures of modern life meaning this schedule no longer works for them. Instead, workers want control of working location and longer working days in a trade-off for three-day weekends.

These demands may not be achievable for all businesses or industries, but, to recruit and retain the best staff, it is important to be aware of and work towards them where possible.”

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• work from home flexible working practices smart working