Employees are up 4 a shorter working week
Survey reveals staff back radical change
MOMENTUM is building for a new four day working week following a new survey showing that seven out of 10 employees would vote for the radical work-life overhaul.
It is leading to debate in political circles, with Sinn Fein’s enterprise spokeswoman – Louise O’reilly – last night calling for the Government to instigate a “national dialogue” on the topic.
Ms O’reilly said the research is “a welcome addition to the growing evidence supporting a move to a four-day work week.”
Consultants at taxback.com looked at people’s views on a fourday working week and found that seven in 10 respondents would greatly welcome the change in their lives, while 17 per cent claimed they’d rather keep the status quo. The remainder expressed some concerns over how it would work in practice.
The experts also found that – linked to the shorter working week – new laws that give workers statutory rights to sick pay for the first time ever are not going to be abused.
Marian Ryan, consumer tax manager with taxback.com, said: “We’ve all witnessed colleagues coming to the office when they are under the weather, perhaps we are even guilty of it ourselves.
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“Many people simply cannot afford to take unpaid leave and very often, they probably don’t see that they are putting others at risk by not taking the time off.
“The new sick-pay scheme will be hugely beneficial to employees, though some employers are concerned as to the financial strain it could put them under.
“Encouragingly, however, it doesn’t look like workers will abuse the system and just four per cent of respondents to our survey said they would make sure to take their three days sick leave whether or not they were actually sick.”
Ms Ryan added: “The research shows the value people place in a healthy work-life balance.
“Most people believe there would be significant benefits to a four-day work week in terms of work life satisfaction and wellbeing.
“Employee stress, burnout, and fatigue are all certainly being given more consideration by employers, and a greater focus is being placed on people having more time to engage in meaningful activities such as hobbies, exercise, and spending time with family. We may be taking the first step into a new age of work in Irish society”.
Ms O’reilly added: “Over the past 12 months, there has been extensive research and studies into a four-day work week.
“In November, the results of a comprehensive four-day work week trial showed that 100 per cent of workers involved in the trial wanted to continue a reduced work schedule.
“Nine of the 12 participating companies were planning to continue. The Taxpayer Sentiment Survey published today has added further valuable evidence to the debate.
“The research revealed that 70 per cent of people would keenly welcome a four-day work week.
“It is clear from the survey that work-life balance is of the utmost importance to workers, and they are interested in how a fourday work week can help in this regard.”