A recent report from ManpowerGroup reveals that 65% of Polish respondents support the implementation of a four-day workweek. Of those surveyed, 36% expressed strong support for the initiative, while 29% showed moderate support. Conversely, 6% held a negative view of the proposal.
The report highlights that employees in Poland value a positive workplace atmosphere (46%) and a job scope that aligns with their interests (41%). However, despite a desire for greater flexibility, 60% of respondents currently work fully from the office. The survey, titled “The Moods of the Polish Labour Market – The Perspective of Candidates 2024,” indicates a favorable perception of the four-day workweek among Poles, though some concerns remain.
Respondents believe that a shorter workweek could enhance overall wellbeing and help maintain a better work-life balance. However, fears of reduced wages, challenges in time management, and increased workloads linger.
Justyna Mazur, a permanent recruitment manager at Experis, noted that companies across various sectors have demonstrated that a four-day workweek does not necessarily lead to decreased productivity. In some instances, organizations have even reported improvements in efficiency and team satisfaction. “Employees tend to be more focused and motivated, which can lead to maintained or improved business performance,” she explained.
Mazur cautioned that certain sectors, such as customer service and production, may face operational challenges due to reduced employee availability, potentially resulting in customer dissatisfaction.
The survey also found that 68% of employees do not plan to change employers in the near future. While 15% intend to seek new opportunities within the next year, 10% plan to do so within six months. Notably, 7% of respondents are actively pursuing a career change within the next three months.
“Overall, 70% of respondents are not considering job changes, a significant shift from the 59% who expressed willingness to switch jobs last year. This trend could lead to increased challenges in attracting suitable candidates during recruitment,” stated Katarzyna Pączkowska, director of permanent recruitment at Manpower.
The report reveals that Polish workers value a friendly workplace culture above all else, with 46% prioritizing this aspect. Other significant factors include a job scope that aligns with their skills and interests (41%) and the option for remote or hybrid work (25%).
Source: ManpowerGroup and ISBnews