Working 9-5 is not the way we make a living, according to survey

THE traditional nine-to-five working day is all but extinct, according to a survey which found that the vast majority of people work different hours.

Just six per cent of people now work nine to five, according to a Yougov study, while almost half of people work flexibly, either job sharing or working compressed hours, allowing them to juggle other commitments.

The study, which surveyed 4,000 people, found the most popular shift begins at 8am and finishes at 4pm, with 37 per cent of people choosing those hours. The second most popular shift is 7am until 3pm, which was chosen by 21 per cent of people who took the survey.

Flexibility was found to be desirable for workers of all life stages and ages, and those who did work flexibly reported that they were more motivated, and that it encouraged them to stay in a job for longer. The study, conducted on behalf of Mcdonald’s, found that a sociable workplace was tied with pay as top criteria for “good jobs”, closely followed by flexibility in working hours and patterns and a convenient location.

Peter Cheese, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development chief executive and co-chairman of the Government’s flexible working task force, said: “Flexible working is a growing preference for lots of people and provides opportunities to work for many who have other commitments or constraints that make it hard for them to work traditional working patterns.

“It therefore benefits organisations by giving them access to wider talent pools and creating more inclusive work environments. It’s also clear that employees with access to flexible working arrangements are more likely to be satisfied and committed to their organisation.”