The majority of UK employees want a four-day working week with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday being the days they would most like to work.
Research undertaken by Viking, an office supplier found that more than half desire a four-day working week with 93 per cent wishing to work Tuesdays and Wednesday as well as 91 per cent wanting to work on Thursdays.
Monday and Fridays were the days workers wanted to add to their weekend the most. However, these employees do not necessarily want to work shorter hours as they are willing to trade longer days for a shorter week.
Employees are happy to work:
- nine hours on Monday
- 10 hours on Tuesday
- 10 hours on Wednesday
- Nine hours on Thursday
More than half (60 per cent) of employees want to start at 8am. The study also found that the desire for remote working is on the rise with 59 per cent wanting access to remote working each week. Just under a fifth (19 per cent) would like to work remotely for at least 90 per cent of their contracted hours.
Over two-thirds of 16-to-25-year-olds (68 per cent) want remote working, compared to just over a half (54 per cent) of over 55s.
Viking said:
As the workforce becomes increasingly dominated by younger generations, remote working is likely to become standard practice, not just a perk.
Mr McDonnell stated in a party conference that the next Labour government is planning to cut down the work week to 32 hours within the next decade.
Mr McDonnell stated that this would be possible to achieve with no reduction to pay and no job losses. He further stated that collective bargaining would be a tool utilised to negotiate working hours. In addition, a Working Time Commission would possess the power to suggest an increase in statutory leave entitlement to the Government.
Viking asked 1,677 full-time employees to obtain these results.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
