The concept of a four-day workweek is gaining traction as an approach to improving our relationship with work. As companies seek innovative ways to boost productivity and employee satisfaction, some are exploring the potential benefits of a shorter work week.
This month, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 1,250 full-time workers to find out how they feel about a four-day work week.
Key findings:
- 8 in 10 workers want a four-day work week
- Top reasons are it would improve work-life balance and physical and mental health
- Nearly all say they can get their work done in 32 hours as opposed to 40 hours
- However, 83% would still prefer a 40 hour four-day work week over a traditional five-day week
- 21% would take a pay cut in exchange for a four-day work week
8 in 10 Workers are Enthusiastic About 4-Day Work Week
The majority of employees we surveyed say they would be excited about having a four-day work week. More specifically, 58% say they would feel enthusiastic about the prospect of a four-day work week, while 25% would feel somewhat enthusiastic. On the other hand, 13% say they would be neutral to the idea, while 4% say they would not be enthusiastic.
Work-life balance, improved health drive reasons for 4-day work week
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of workers interested in a four-day work week believe this schedule will improve their work-life balance, while 60% believe it would improve their mental and physical health. Further, 56% believe a four-day work week will help to prevent burnout, 39% say it will increase productivity during the week, and 39% say it will help to reduce commuting costs.
“Because work-life balance has become a higher priority among younger generations, it would definitely help attract and retain talent,” says Julia Toothacre, resume and career strategist at Resume Builder. “A four-day work week gives people more time to have a life. A shorter week could also reduce sick and personal time leave because people will have a weekday to do appointments or rest.”
94% of Workers Say They Could Get Work Done in 32 Hours
The vast majority (94%) of workers who want this schedule are confident they could get all their work done in four eight-hour days or 32 hours, as opposed to working a traditional 40 hours.
If they were required to work 40 hours, 83% would still prefer a 40-hour four-day week over a 40-hour five-day week.
“A lot of the workday is spent in meetings, transitioning to and from meetings and projects, or having casual conversations, so I’m not at all surprised that workers say they can get their work done in 32 hours,” says Toothacre.
“This type of schedule would force people to work more efficiently rather than try to fill the time. Many remote workers I’ve spoken to love working remotely because they can get more done with fewer distractions.”
1 in 5 Would Take a Pay Cut To Have 4-Day Week
About one-fifth (21%) of workers say they would take a pay cut for a 4-day week, while 79% would not.
Of those willing to take a pay cut, 51% would take a pay cut of 5% or less, 23% would take a 10% cut, and 7% would take a 15% cut. Additionally, 19% would be willing to reduce their pay by 20% or more.
Many employers are split on moving toward a four-day work week. Andrew Pickett, lead Trial Attorney and Founder at Andrew Pickett Law, says after researching a four-day work week they’ve decided to retain the traditional five-day structure for the time being.
“Despite its growing popularity and potential benefits, our current decision leans towards retaining the traditional five-day work structure,” says Pickett. “This choice stems from our unique operational needs and the nature of legal work, which often demands a level of flexibility and client accessibility that a shorter workweek might hinder.”
Steven Mostyn, chief human resource officer of Management.org, says the company is exploring the possibility of transitioning to a four-day workweek.
“We are motivated by emerging research and case studies from other organizations that suggest a shorter workweek can boost employee productivity, morale, and well-being while reducing burnout,” says Mostyn. “The feasibility of this shift is currently under review, with pilot programs being considered to evaluate the impact on our operations and client services.”
Methodology
This survey was commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com and conducted online by the survey platform Pollfish. It was launched on April 10, 2024. Overall, 1,250 full-time workers completed the survey.
To qualify for the survey, all participants had to be over 18 and currently employed full-time.
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