9 in 10 Canadians interested in a four-day work week: study

A new study suggests many Canadians are interested in a four-day work week, but nearly as many have at least one concern with the idea.

The vast majority of working Canadians are interested in a four-day work week, according to a new study conducted after several pilot programs testing the concept and suggested shorter weeks led to enhanced productivity.

The recruiting platform Talent.com says in Canada, there is a growing curiosity about this type of model, with a whopping 93 per cent saying they were interested. According to the survey, 57 per cent of Canadian would put the concept in their top three professional benefits they'd like their company to offer, followed by insurance (52 per cent) and flexibility to choose their working hours (47 per cent).

More than one in four admitted they are not equally productive on all working days, and the top reasons for wanting to try a shorter week included improving work-life balance, decreasing risk of burnout and reducing feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed.

As for what that model would look like, half of respondents said they don’t want to work more than 36 hours in a week, suggesting they were less interested in taking on a model where they'd work four, 10-hour shifts. Many surveyed appeared to prefer a model where they'd still work eight-hour days, but get a three-day weekend.

Only 8 per cent of respondents agreed that their ideal four-day work week would consist of more than 40 hours a week, and most who wanted to work fewer hours said they wouldn't be willing to take a pay cut, even if it was less than 10 per cent. The results of the study suggested this sentiment persisted regardless of income.

Adults under 35 were the most likely to consider a pay cut in exchange.

Although most people surveyed said they'd like to try a four-day work week, nearly as many said they have concerns as well. Eight in 10 Canadians noted at least one worry about the concept – especially younger workers.