Britons’ average working week is now just THREE days as number of hours put in plunges

Britons’ average working week is now just THREE days as number of hours put in plunges a quarter during the pandemic, ONS figures reveal

  • Office of National Statistics published findings yesterday which showed from February to April the average worker was putting in just 25.4 hours per week 
  • This compares with 32 hours per week over the same period last year
  • It means that workers are now effectively doing just over three days per week when that 25.4 hours is compared to the typical 40 hour week

The working week is now just three days long because employees’ hours have fallen off a cliff edge since the pandemic started, government data shows.

The Office of National Statistics published findings yesterday which showed from February to April the average worker was putting in just 25.4 hours per week.

This compares with 32 hours per week over the same period last year.

The ONS said: ‘The impact of the pandemic on the labour market is still evolving. 

The Office of National Statistics published findings yesterday which showed from February to April the average worker was putting in just 25.4 hours per week (stock image)

‘The future performance of the labour market will be shaped by what happens when the Government support schemes come to an end and how quickly business confidence builds up for firms to bring more workers out of furlough and to increase hiring.’ 

Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute for Economic Affairs, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘From what I can gather, the reduction in hours worked reflects reduced capacity, even among the businesses that stayed open during lockdown.

‘The exceptions are a few industries such as farming and health which you would not expect to be affected.

‘We should expect this to continue for a long time as businesses try to cope with social distancing measures, lower footfall and a fearful population.’

Last month a study by investment bank Jefferies revealed that a third of Britons would rather work from home for the majority of the week once the pandemic is over (stock image)

Last month a study by investment bank Jefferies revealed that a third of Britons would rather work from home for the majority of the week once the pandemic is over (stock image) 

Last month a study by investment bank Jefferies revealed that a third of Britons would rather work from home for the majority of the week once the pandemic is over.  

Sixty per cent of those contacted said they would return to work immediately if given the option, with 35 per cent saying they would rather work from home three to four days a week.

Jefferies surveyed of 1,500 people.