Over half (52%) of British employees would be prepared to sacrifice a day’s pay for a three-day weekend, according to research by Reabur.
The study, conducted among 1,283 full-time workers, also found that 14% would willingly sacrifice half a day’s wages to finish work at lunchtime on a Friday.
A further 4% would prefer to take a half day on a Monday morning.
In addition, 6% of respondents are prepared to permanently lose two paid working days in exchange for a four-day weekend and a three-day working week.
While 14% of respondents would be happy to have a longer weekend, if a permanently longer weekend was implemented across the UK, they would not want it at the expense of a reduction in their salary.
A further 9% felt happy with working a five-day week with the standard two days for a weekend and would not want it to change, while 2% of the respondents admitted that they felt impartial.
Georgina Read, co-managing director of Reabur, said: “Many organisations do offer a shorter working day on a Friday, because people tend to wind down at the end of the week, but it is unlikely starting late on a Monday would be considered as an alternative offering, because many employers will expect their staff to feel re-energised and ready to go full steam into the week ahead.
“The respondents that wanted their weekend extended to four days, and were willing to reduce their pay, could make a flexible working request to their employer, but do need to consider how their request could impact on the business.
“Those employees that want longer weekends because they are not happy in their job, need to look at why they are not satisfied at work and focus on exploring alternative options.”
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