The secret desire of employees: A four-day week as employers prepare to return to offices, according to a survey

The secret desire of employees: A four-day week as employers prepare to return to offices, according to a survey

2023-08-21 09:38:01

According to a recent survey conducted by Hays Ireland, three-quarters of respondents expressed their willingness to switch jobs for a nine-day working fortnight, indicating a growing demand for a better work-life balance.

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In an effort to entice employees back to the office, Irish employers are investing in new technologies and workplace perks. These findings are based on a survey of 1,597 professionals conducted by Hays Ireland between April and May 2023.

Table
  1. Employers Preparing for Office Returns
  2. Employees Interested in a Four-Day Working Week
  3. The Nine-Day Working Fortnight
  4. Employers' Efforts to Encourage Office Returns
  5. The Future of Work

Employers Preparing for Office Returns

Hays’ research shows that 56% of employers believe that their staff will be required to work from the office more frequently in the next 12 months. Only 10% anticipate a decrease in office attendance, while 34% expect the current situation to remain the same.

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Employees Interested in a Four-Day Working Week

A significant finding from the survey is the demand for a four-day working week among the respondents. More than half of the professionals surveyed expressed their interest in transitioning to a compressed four-day work week.

Last year, several Irish companies participated in a global pilot programme conducted by Four Day Week Ireland. Of the 12 businesses that took part, nine committed to adopting the four-day work week on a permanent basis, while the others were still considering their long-term plans.

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The Nine-Day Working Fortnight

Within the survey, 75% of Irish professionals indicated their willingness to change jobs in order to attain a nine-day working fortnight. This working arrangement would allow employees to have every second Friday off, providing them with additional leisure time.

Maureen Lynch, the managing director of Hays Ireland, expressed her thoughts on this emerging concept. "The concept of a four-day working week has gained momentum in the last 12 months. The latest iteration of this concept is the nine-day working fortnight, which would allow employees to take off every second Friday. This is obviously an exciting prospect for many professionals and may be more palatable to employers. However, our research suggests employers and employees are still grappling with what this would look like in practice, and which sectors would be most suited to this new way of working. Either way, it is positive that these questions are being asked and that old ways of working are now being challenged."

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Employers' Efforts to Encourage Office Returns

Despite the increasing interest in flexible working arrangements, a significant number of employers (49%) have invested in new technology and workplace amenities to encourage employees to return to the office. These include offerings such as onsite childcare (30%), bike storage and shower facilities (48%), and even allowing workers to bring pets to the office (25%). Additionally, half of the employers surveyed are providing paid-for or subsidized meals.

It is worth noting Zoom's recent decision to adopt a hybrid work model, calling its employees back to the office. This move indicates that the world of work is continuously evolving due to the changes brought on by the pandemic.

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The Future of Work

As the survey results suggest, the conversation around flexible working is still in its early stages. Employees are seeking greater autonomy in terms of their working hours and location, while employers acknowledge the benefits of remote and hybrid work arrangements but also recognize the challenges they present.

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