In a world where the traditional 9-to-5 work structure is being questioned, a new survey reveals that the majority of full-time workers and job seekers are in favor of a four-day work week. According to a recent survey by Bankrate, 81% of respondents showed support for a shorter work week, highlighting an emerging trend in the labor market where employees are advocating for greater flexibility and control over their work schedules.

While the idea of a four-day work week has been gaining traction, the desire for such a schedule doesn’t come without sacrifices. As per the same survey, 89% of the respondents indicated their willingness to make certain compromises to achieve this work structure. More than half the respondents are prepared to work longer hours, and over a third are willing to change jobs or industries. Interestingly, 27% of those surveyed expressed readiness to come to their office more frequently or work entirely in person. These findings suggest that workers are not merely seeking fewer work days, but a reimagining of the work-life balance in the post-pandemic era.

Workers Desire Four-Day Work Week, Survey Reveals

A new survey by Bankrate suggests that employees are increasingly seeking flexible work schedules, with a four-day work week being the most favored arrangement. A majority, 81% of full-time workers and job seekers, prefer a four-day work week over the traditional five-day schedule.

Workers Ready to Make Sacrifices for Shorter Work Weeks

Interestingly, the survey revealed that 89% of respondents are willing to make certain sacrifices to be able to work only four days a week. More than half (54%) are open to working longer hours, while over a third (37%) are willing to switch jobs or industries. Furthermore, 27% of workers are ready to work fully in person or commute to their office more often.

The study also revealed that workers are willing to work off-peak hours (23%), engage in less interesting or less passionate jobs (17%), accept fewer vacation days (16%), commute longer (12%), accept a pay cut (10%), or even take a step back in their careers (10%). Only 11% of workers favoring a four-day work week were unwilling to accept any of these tradeoffs.

Covid-Era Work Schedules Expected to Continue

The findings of the survey, which was conducted in July and included 2,367 adults, suggest an expectation among employees for Covid-era work schedules to continue. "We’ve learned a lot of lessons over these past several years, and one of those is how the nature of work has changed," said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate.

Demand for Remote Work Exceeds Supply

Despite 89% of full-time workers or job seekers supporting a four-day work week, remote work, or hybrid work, the demand for remote work seems to outpace the number of job postings offering it as an option, according to Hamrick.

Data from ZipRecruiter shows that only 10.5% of job postings this year have been remote or hybrid, down from a peak of 13.7% in 2022. While postings for remote jobs have plateaued in most industries, growth continues in consulting or science roles.

The Market Prevails Over Employer Preferences

Although the share of remote job postings is down, it doesn’t necessarily mean a decrease in the actual share of days worked remotely, says Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter. The market might dictate the level of remote flexibility employers end up offering, despite what they advertise in job postings.

Companies that offer remote work have an advantage in recruitment and retention. Hamrick suggests that employers who have managed to offer flexible schedules to workers may continue to do so, even if the labor market cools down.

Key Takeaways

The shift in employee preferences towards a flexible, four-day work week highlights the lasting impact of the pandemic on work cultures. While workers are willing to make trade-offs for this flexibility, it remains to be seen how employers will respond. As the market tends to dictate trends, companies that offer flexible schedules and remote work options may have a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent.