POLL: S’poreans prefer flexible work arrangements over 4-day work week, though many admit extra rest day would benefit their mental health – The Independent Singapore News

– Commercial –

A new survey shows that nearly two-thirds of employees prefer flexible work arrangements over a four-day work week. The more than 1,000 employees surveyed are from various industries, from information technology (IT) to retail.

The online survey by US firm Qualtrics, conducted last month, showed that respondents were concerned about the long working hours that a four-day work week would entail. However, many of those surveyed recognized that an extra day of rest in the week would be beneficial to their mental health.

The survey showed that 64 percent of full-time employees surveyed said they prefer flexibility to a four-day work week.

Interestingly, flexibility is a more important reason for retention (66 percent) than one less day of work (50 percent).

Doubts about the four-day week appear to stem from the following reasons: 78 per cent of respondents said they anticipate working longer hours if such a scheme is implemented, while 62 per cent expressed concern that clients would be frustrated with a shorter work week. .

However, 86 percent of employees said a shorter workday would be beneficial to their mental health, while 89 percent said this type of arrangement can improve work-life balance.

Furthermore, 87 percent also said that the shorter week would make them more loyal to their employers.

But again, more than half of those surveyed (55 percent) said they believe there will be a drop in company performance if a four-day workweek is followed.

When it comes to flexibility, a third of respondents defined it as having control over their work hours, while 26 percent said it means being able to work from anywhere and 19 percent said it means being able to choose their workdays. . .

The survey also showed that 70 percent of respondents said that their job is the main source of the mental health challenges they face.

However, when asked if working remotely affects their mental health, 24 percent said it has a positive effect, while 22 percent said it has a negative effect on their mental health.

Additionally, while many respondents said they preferred flexibility at work, a significant number (70 percent) also said they believed it would have a negative impact on career advancement.

Ms. Lauren Huntington, Employee Experience Solutions Strategist – Southeast Asia, Qualtrics, said, “Amidst the buzz surrounding new work models, employers shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that what employees really they want and what they have become accustomed to is the flexibility to adjust their work schedules to suit the demands of their lives.

Increasingly, we see people making career decisions and finding satisfaction in their jobs by working for organizations that truly understand and respond to their needs, and where they feel they belong. That is why the most important part of any work model is not simply the hours or days worked, it is being able to meaningfully understand and deliver what people want and expect to ensure everyone benefits from the ongoing transformations.” .

/ITGS

Netizens weigh in on the possibility of a 4-day working week in Singapore

Follow us on social networks

Send your scoops to [email protected]

– Commercial –