Construction sector says yes to four day week in SCN poll

Of the 168 readers who responded to the survey we conducted from Tuesday to Thursday this week, an emphatic 80.4% said they believe the sector should work a four-day week, with just 20.6% opposed.

Perhaps surprisingly, the category of those least in favour of the change were those aged 18-24, with the split in this section only 60/40 in favour of the change. 

One such respondent told us: “I would rather work an extra hour in the 4 days to have a 3rd day off. I also believe the 3rd day off could be a rotation basis through the office.”

An overwhelming 93% of respondents aged 25-34 were in favour, with one reader claiming that “science has proven this increases productivity”.

Another said: “Based on feedback from friends within other industries who work a 4-day week, this has boosted productivity and morale, but has also benefited the local economy as they are able to spend more time out of the house going for food/drinks etc as well as shopping.

“I firmly believe this should be considered strongly by the industry in order to attract labour to a sector which is plagued by skills shortages - as well as retaining top talent.”

Respondents aged 45-55 were most representative of the survey as a whole, coming in around 81% in favour with 19% opposed. An office worker in this category who was opposed to the move said: “Think about productivity over the winter months when it is dark at 3:30. What has happened to construction since covid, everything is taking longer, or we are all working slower!”

The percentage of people in favour of the change dropped to 77% within the 35-44 bracket and 73% of those aged 55+.

Respondents who carried out most of their work on site were the most sceptical, but only slightly, with 70% of those answering ‘yes’ and 30% saying ‘no’.

A site worker who was against the move described it as a “pathetic idea” which would “drive laziness” and “longer shifts”. They also suggested that the result would be to “drive down wages”.

Another said: “Absolutely no need to move to 4 days a week. It should be moved to a full 5-day week rather than the current half-day Friday.”

Mainly office-based staff voted 83% for a four-day week with only 17% against it.

One said: “The construction industry is tough. Even more so since the difficulties and pressure brought with the pandemic. A 4-day week would increase morale and in turn reduce the lost productivity brought by the reduced hours.”

The biggest issue among those who don’t agree with a change is the potential impact on productivity.

One reader shared: “Whilst I’m an office based as COO, I’m responsible for site activities and I have worked on site in my earlier career. The main issue is a current lack of productivity, I do not consider reducing the working week will help this in any way.”

Another said that move is “not financially viable for any construction business” adding that “the additional people that would potentially be required to achieve more in a shorter period just aren’t there”.

One reader suggested that firms could remain fully operational over the week. “Employees can be rotational or set Monday to Thursday, Tuesday to Friday to ensure operations continue but also flexibility to go back to 5 days for annual leave coverage, sickness etc,” they added.

Another compromise was a 9-day fortnight. “A rota could be agreed with 50% staff off the first Friday with the remaining 50% off the second Friday, meaning there will always be cover within the business.”

Irvine-headquartered construction property and investment business Edison Group became a convert to the principle of the four-day working week for all employees.

The new regime, which will guarantee all sixty Edison Group employees three days off each week: either Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or Saturday, Sunday and Monday, while maintaining existing salary levels, will be introduced over the coming months.

Though chief executive Calum Melville said: “I’m not really conscious of being a pioneer of the four-day working week within the Scottish construction industry. We think it is right for us and we will always plough our own furrow. Whether any of our competitors follow suit is entirely a matter for them.”