88% of UK employees would support a four-day working week, reveals survey

88% of UK employees would support a four-day working week: A recent survey has uncovered that almost nine in 10 British employees think moving towards a four-day working week would benefit them, with 76% of SME employers and 86% of recruiters in agreement. 

 

The research by NatWest Rapid Cash surveyed 500 recruitment agencies, 500 SME employers and 2,000 office workers in May 2022, finding that while most recruiters support the idea of a four-day week, a third were of the opinion that extra costs would be incurred as a result.

 

When asked about other ways they feel their working life would be improved, a third of employees (31%) said a more flexible work pattern would be more beneficial. 

 

Increasing productivity is one of the main reasons cited in favour of changing the standard working week from five to four days; however, just three in 10 managers believe that productivity would actually be improved. However, around two-thirds (68%) said they believe that moving to a shorter working week would increase productivity.

 

Recruiters also cited a number of other reasons for switching to a four-day week, with 87% believing it would improve mental health and three-quarters (76%) stating that it would result in significant improvement to a person’s standard of living. In addition, the monetary benefit would help the British economy (70%), they said. 

 

When SME employers were asked about the potential benefits of a four-day working week, almost half (47%) said it would improve employee retention. However, 45% were concerned that reducing the hours would lead to less work being done, with a further 46% feeling some of the work would be left incomplete.

 

On Monday 6 June 2022, more than 3,300 workers at 70 businesses in the UK started working a four-day week with no loss of pay on a trial basis.

 

Natalie Kerr, chief commercial director for NatWest Rapid Cash, said: “Recruiters clearly see the four-day working week and personal wellbeing gaining popularity among employees. But many businesses are reluctant to provide a better work-life balance due to increased operational costs. Cashflow is key when it comes not only to staffing but also to having the flexibility to adopt new models of working, and to make the most of growth opportunities.”

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