Based on a survey of 2,000 senior HR practitioners, this CIPD report explores employer perspectives on the four-day work week. It finds that a third of employers believe a four-day week will be attainable within a decade, and two thirds think this will only be possible if organisations become more efficient through ‘smarter’ working and embracing new technology.
The movement towards a shorter working week has gathered momentum due to a number of companies taking part in four-day week trials in the UK and abroad.
These trials will give insights into how these organisations manage to move to a four-day week and provide learnings for other employers. What is still ambiguous is the general attitude of employers towards a shorter week, and the mechanics of how organisations implement reduced working hours without compromising pay.
This report addresses the knowledge gap in employer perspectives with a view to inform organisations and policy-makers of the challenges and opportunities that come with adopting a shorter working week. The report also draws on data from the Labour Force Survey to understand the current pattern of working hours of people in the UK.
Key findings
Employees’ preferences for working patterns differ, but most are happy with their current working hours. Many are already working a four-day week or less, and equally, many work more than a five-day week.
While the majority of people would like to work fewer hours, they are not willing to take a pay cut to facilitate this.
From the data, employers appear ambivalent about reducing hours and see a move to a four-day week as unlikely. A shorter week also raises the question of how to manage atypical and non-salaried workers.
With the cost-of-living crisis, and a potential rise in unemployment, we are likely to see greater focus on the need to boost working hours.
One challenge for those employers that had reduced working hours, was that it did not suit everybody in their organisation. As with homeworking, it may be that shorter working hours are possible in some industries more than others.