Research reveals UK workforce think work-life balance is more important than salary

Introducing a six-hour working day would be a good thing, that’s according to 11 million UK workers, who believe it would give them a better work-life balance, improve productivity and reduce stress.

The findings come after Sweden announced in 2015 that the country was moving to a six-hour day after trials revealed employees were happier, profits increased and employees stayed with companies longer. Further insights from today’s UK office workers are revealed in ‘The End of Nine-to-Five’ a report commissioned by TeamViewer. The research highlights that UK workers are overwhelmingly turning their back on the standard 9-5 office life with 72% agreeing that it’s not relevant for the 21st century.

The report also reveals that:

  •     79% of people agree that work-life balance is more important than salary
  •     82% agree that employees should be offered flexibility in how they work without it affecting their career
  •     72% of people agree that working flexibly makes them more effective
  •     68% agree that working 9-5 makes them stressed

“For the first time workers are demanding how, where and when they want to work and interest in a six-hour working day is just another example of this. Employees now have the technology to work flexibly but many businesses are still falling behind when it comes to meeting the needs of the modern workforce,” commented Andreas Koenig, CEO of TeamViewer.

“If companies want to continue to motivate their teams and attract the top talent and fully support today’s workforce, organisations need to realise that they can no longer enforce policies that restrict remote and flexible working. Instead they need to provide technologies and an environment which is beneficial for the employees and the company.”