EXCLUSIVE: Two-thirds of the public want Boris Johnson to look at bringing in a four-day working week after coronavirus crisis
- Poll by Survation found two thirds want ministers to look at four day work week
- Survey found 29 per cent strongly support it and 33 per cent somewhat support
- Seven per cent somewhat oppose four day week, six per cent strongly oppose
Almost two thirds of the British public want Boris Johnson to explore the possibility of introducing a four-day working week after the coronavirus crisis.
A new poll conducted by Survation found that 29 per cent of people strongly support ministers looking at the issue while 33 per cent somewhat support it – net support of 62 per cent.
Meanwhile, just six per cent of people said they were strongly opposed to the idea and seven per cent were somewhat opposed to it.
Campaigners believe the coronavirus outbreak and the accompanying nationwide lockdown which has seen many people working from home should kickstart a debate about the way in which people do their jobs.
The Survation survey suggests there is overwhelming support for a reduced working week.
A Survation poll found almost two thirds of people are in favour of ministers exploring the possibility of a four day working week
The poll of 2,003 people which took place between June 24-25 was commissioned by the think tank Autonomy.
People were asked: ‘To what extent would you support or oppose the government exploring the introduction of a four day working week?’
The poll suggests many workers would be in favour of a reduced working week with no reduction in pay after the Covid-19 crisis.
As well as the broad overwhelming support for the move, the survey also found that some 57 per cent of people who voted Conservative at the 2019 General Election would support ministers exploring whether the change is possible.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has faced calls from campaigners, economists and academics to set up a commission to examine the issue.
Will Stronge, director of research for Autonomy, said: ‘The research demonstrates that a shorter working week is beneficial to the environment, to our wellbeing and to staff performance in businesses. It’s a “multi-dividend” policy.
‘The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the inadequacies of our labour market and has hit those on low incomes in stressful, key worker jobs hardest.
‘A fairer, post-Covid economy that benefits workers is the right thing to do and shorter working hours with no reduction in pay should be part of that.’
Joe Ryle, a campaigner with the Four Day Week Campaign, said: ‘The four-day week is an idea that is gaining momentum across the world right now because people are reimagining a better future for themselves post COVID-19.
‘A four-day working week is a no-brainer. Why wouldn’t we want to be happier, healthier and at the same time – more productive at work?’