4-day working week: 1 in 5 workers keen to volunteer on day off

Earlier this year, a UK pilot of a four-day working week showed positive adoption: 56 of the 61 organisations who took part said they will continue, with 18 making it a permanent arrangement.

Once considered a far-fetched idea, a shortened workweek is now being hailed as a way to bolster productivity and employee wellbeing – but its potential to support civic causes and green initiatives should be included in the discourse.

• According to our recent survey on the four-day working week, one in five workers (21%) said they would use their free day to volunteer.
• Almost a third (31%) believe the four-day week could have a beneficial impact on the environment.
• While a large majority of respondents (93%) believe the four-day working week is a good idea, only 5% of organisations surveyed say they have implemented one.

Workers willing to volunteer during day off

Our four-day working week survey, featuring the views of over 11,800 respondents, suggests that a shortened workweek could compel workers to become more involved in civic duties. When asked how they would use an extra day off, one in five professionals (21%) said they would use the time to volunteer.

Regardless of the four-day working week though, organisations should do their own part to encourage their employees to become involved in charitable causes and community projects. This could take the form of dedicated corporate volunteering days, such as those offered by our “Helping for your tomorrow” global programme at Hays, where we’ve partnered with charities like Trees for Cities to help benefit the communities in which we live and work.

A shorter workweek could garner green benefits

In addition to the societal opportunities, close to a third of our survey’s respondents (31%) believe that one day less in the office could have a positive impact on the environment. Central to this view is that the reduction of work-related travel could help alleviate carbon emissions, with one expert suggesting savings could reach 15-20%.

By removing “time poverty”, individuals are theoretically able to make better decisions and life choices. Some studies even suggest that a shift to a shorter workweek encouraged pro-environmental behaviours – from more conscientious recycling to reduced food waste.

However, the reality of a four-day week’s green benefits could be a more complicated picture than some studies suggest, with there being a lack of empirical grounding to prove all the environmental advantages. The concept is also largely subject to the way people spend their time off; a less utopian future might involve three-day weekend splurges on carbon-intensive goods and services. For the time being then, the way an organisation models sustainable practices might be seen as a more immediate concern.

A self-improved society

A truncated workweek could foster a better work-life balance, with our surveyed professionals stating they would spend extra time on life admin (76%), leisure time and exercise (69%), and with family/friends (69%). There’s scope for greater upskilling too; 40% stated they would like to use the extra day for self-development, such as learning a new skill or language.

Rather than being a nicety for individuals, some commentators argue that having the free time to pursue these activities is a matter of social policy. There’s even a consideration that an increased value of non-work activities could direct more time and attention to pressing social issues – from mental health to inequality in the labour market.

The four-day week is far from certain

Although a large majority of our survey’s respondents (93%) believe the four-day working week is a good idea, only 5% of organisations say they have implemented the model – no change from 2022. Long-term planning is crucial when considering any new workplace models, and the four-day working week is no exception. For many, the change to entrenched practices may be too great an obstacle.

Of the companies who said they were neither trialling a four-day working week or considering it (58%), over half (53%) said this was because they are not prepared from an operational perspective. One in five employers (20%) were concerned about the pressure on staff, whilst 19% said they weren’t prepared from a financial perspective.

While a widespread change may not be imminent, the recent four-day working week trials and adoption by employers and governments alike suggest a rethink of established workplace trends. Rather than focusing on the day off itself though, how people choose to use that time could prove the four-day week’s true value. And no matter their current workplace models, the onus will always be on organisations to guide their staff towards meaningful decisions.   

For more insights into the world of work, check out our latest Salary & Recruiting Trends guide for key stats and market intel on salary increases, skills shortages, hybrid working and more.

[Ends]