Four-day week ‘would be better’ than a big pay rise

e majority of workers want employers to introduce a four-day week, with many preferring a reduction in working hours to a hefty pay rise.

According to a survey from recruiter Robert Walters, 91pc of the 3,000 respondents, 1,000 of which were from Ireland, stated they would welcome the implementation of a four-day week.

Almost half said this working model would grab their attention on a job description.

e allure of a shorter work week outweighed other perks for workers, including remote working.

e ability to work from anywhere ranked second in the list of employee preferences, with 35pc of those surveyed interested in exible work arrangements.

Only 15pc of respondents said they would opt for a 10pc-15pc pay rise over the option of a four-day working week.

Half of those who wish to move to a four-day working week also revealed that they expect their full pay to remain unchanged from current levels.

After an era of hybrid working, workers are no longer enticed by promises of free food in the o ce or work socials, according to the ndings.

Just one percent said they would prefer free lunch or breakfast to a four-day week.

In fact, almost three quarters of respondents said they would be willing to give up relationships with colleagues in order to work fewer days a week.

“Workplaces have only just turned a corner and started to see more faces in the o ce - with that has come a burst of energy, collaboration, creativity and productivity,” Robert Waters Ireland Manager Suzanne Feeney said.

“It is a slight kick in the teeth to hear that a progressive wellbeing initiative such as a four-day week could have such a detrimental impact on workplace culture and business relationships,” she added.

A trial of 12 Irish SMEs last year, backed by Fórsa in partnership with Four Day Week Ireland, UCD and Boston College revealed that 100% of employees indicated they preferred the reduced working week schedule after the pilot ended.