Research reveals the current work week does not suit 70% of Irish workers

Michael Bolton

New research reveals 70 per cent of Irish professionals state that the current work week does not suit them.

Research from talent solutions firm Robert Walters has found that the conventional 40-hour work week is falling out of favour.

44 per cent of Irish companies have noted productivity becoming more of a problem in the past year, as 25 per cent of employers said they would extend the work week to solve this issue.

However, 85 per cent of employees said they would leave their current job if this was to happen.

53 per cent of professionals think switching to a four-week model could improve productivity considerably, while 36 per cent claim more flexibility would improve productivity.

Suzanne Feeney, Country Manager of Robert Walters Ireland comments: “The conventional 40-hour work week which has remained largely unchanged for over a century, is now facing an uncertain future. This highlights a growing discontentment that employers must urgently acknowledge and work to rectify.

“These past several years have seen numerous changes to the current work week be tested. Whilst the success of the different approaches may vary, they do call into question the conventional work week’s ability to keep pace with the demands of today’s workforce

"With economic tensions and the cost of living still high as global labour markets remain in recovery from the pandemic and various ongoing geopolitical conflicts, there is considerable upheaval which will continue having an impact on the way we see our working week.”