UK Job Seeker Insights Into the Four-Day Work Week

The four-day work week ranks...fourth! 

Out of all the most important benefits an employer can offer, the four-day work week ranks fourth in importance after yearly salary increases, vacation days, and flexible hours. This factor was ranked higher than insurance benefits and even having a fully remote position. 

What would a four-day work week look like in hours?

If employers were to make a four-day work week a reality, important questions would have to be answered about the total number of working hours per week. Of survey participants, a majority (35%) thought the shorter work week should be made up of 30 to 32 hours, essentially working the usual 8 hours a day for four days.

For 21%, an 8 hour and 45-minute work day would be acceptable (33 to 35 hours a week), while 19% said the shortened week should consist of 36 to 38 hours, or an average workday of 9 and a half hours. A minority of employees thought a four-day work week should be 39 to 40 hours making for an average of 10 hour workdays.

A four-day work week does not include a pay cut. 

Surveyed employees were clear that few would accept any pay cut whatsoever in exchange for a four-day work week. Only 15% of participants said they would be willing to take a small pay cut of between 1-5% and 9% said they would be open to a slightly larger cut of between 6-10%.

Does a four-day work week mean better work-life balance? 

According to UK workers, yes. Survey participants feel strongly that a four-day work week would represent many positive benefits in practice. Better work-life balance topped the chart with 82% of participants signaling what a shorter work week would mean to them. Improved well-being (55%) and a reduction in stress (48%) follow closely behind.

Employers can note that a solid 35% and 31%, respectively, believe they would experience increased job satisfaction and increased employer loyalty. When asked about potential negative side effects of a four-day work week, few participants felt it would bring on unrealistic expectations (11%), added stress (7%), or scheduling conflicts (6%).

Employees look forward to rest & leisure with a shorter work week  

Employees are looking for a little more down time and believe a four-day work week could be the answer. A whopping 71% of survey participants highlighted rest as well as leisure and hobbies as the top benefit they would associate with a shorter work week. Being able to attend personal appointments (64%) and conduct household chores (60%) were benefits strongly linked in UK minds with working only four days. A smaller number of employees also identified childcare and family caregiving as a benefit of a four-day work week schedule.  

Methodology: The online survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Talent.com between August 19 and 23, 2022 had a total sample size of 1,352 adults. The figures have been weighted and are representative of British business size.