Survey: 89% of American workforce prefer 4-day workweeks, remote work or hybrid work
When COVID-19 lockdowns shuttered the majority of U.S. offices, full-time workers got a taste of flexibility and work-from-home life. While not everyone enjoyed working in their sweatpants, remote and hybrid work are now here to stay.
An overwhelming majority (89 percent) of the U.S. adult workforce, defined as those who work full-time or are seeking full-time work, support a four-day workweek, remote work or hybrid work, according to a new Bankrate study. What’s more, full-time workers are willing to make big changes for that flexibility: 51 percent of those looking for a four-day week, remote work or hybrid work would switch jobs or even industries to have at least one of those options.
Though the U.S. job market is cooling, it’s remained stable, as of a July 2023 Bankrate Economic Indicator poll, giving Americans more choices at work. With the workforce’s preferences changing, it’s up to employers to decide the next move.
Whether currently working or aspiring to work, now that people have seen or experienced changes forced by the pandemic, there’s no putting that proverbial genie back in the bottle. At the same time, employers must adapt to these shifts while striving for success and greater productivity. Otherwise, many of their employees are going to seek work elsewhere.— Mark Hamrick, Bankrate Senior Economic Analyst
Bankrate’s key 4-day workweek and remote work insights
- A four-day workweek is more popular among full-time workers than remote and hybrid work. 81% of the full-time workforce support a four-day workweek. 64% prefer fully remote work and 68% prefer hybrid work, as opposed to fully in-person work.
- Flexible work is more popular among women and younger generations. 92% of women in the full-time workforce support at least one flexible work option (four-day workweek, remote work and hybrid work) compared to 87% of men. 93% of Gen Zers (ages 18-26), 91% of millennials (ages 27-42), 87% of Gen Xers (ages 43-58) and 87% of baby boomers (ages 59-77) in the full-time workforce support at least one flexible work option.
- The majority of full-time workers would sacrifice something for a shorter workweek. 89% of full-time workers who support a four-day workweek would sacrifice something at work in exchange: 54% would work longer hours, 37% would change jobs or industries, 27% would work in the office more and 10% would take a pay cut.
- Over two in five full-time workers would change jobs for remote work. 78% of full-time workforce members who support working remotely would sacrifice something in exchange: 42% would change jobs or industries; 35% would work off-peak hours, such as during the evenings or weekends; 28% would work a job they are less passionate about or find less interesting; and 15% would take a pay cut.
- Fewer full-time workers would sacrifice for a hybrid schedule. 73% of full-time workforce members who support a hybrid schedule would sacrifice something in exchange: 37% would change jobs or industries; 28% would work off-peak hours, such as in the evenings or weekends; and 10% would take a pay cut.
89% of full-time workers support a 4-day workweek, hybrid work or remote work
Over four in five (81 percent) people in the workforce would support a four-day workweek, a far higher percentage than those who support hybrid (68 percent) or remote work (64 percent):
Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
Note: Of people in the workforce, 4 percent somewhat oppose and 3 percent strongly oppose a 4-day workweek instead of a traditional 5-day workweek.
“With the swift, remarkable, almost revolutionary changes in work emerging during the early and desperate days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of those currently employed as well as those looking for work are prioritizing shorter work weeks and greater flexibility in terms of hybrid and fully remote employment opportunities,” Bankrate Senior Economic Analyst Mark Hamrick says.
Flexible schedules are especially popular with women: 92 percent support at least one option between a four-day workweek, hybrid or remote work, compared to 87 percent of men.
Bankrate’s take: Though shorter workweeks, hybrid work and remote work are widely popular, they’re especially popular among young and female full-time workers.
Additionally, support for a four-day workweek, hybrid work or remote work is nearly universal among Gen Zers (93 percent) and millennials (91 percent). More than half of those younger Americans who prefer a flexible work schedule would change jobs or industries in order to get it:
Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
*Among U.S. Adults who are working full-time or looking for full-time employment
Though 87 percent of baby boomers support a four-day workweek, hybrid work or remote work, only 36 percent would change jobs or industries for the chance to work their preferred schedule — the lowest percentage of any generation.
About 4 in 5 full-time workers would prefer a 4-day workweek
A four-day workweek is picking up steam among the American workforce. In initial company trials as seen in Europe and the U.S., the model typically consists of 32 hours of work per week for full-time pay or 10 hours of work a day for four days. Around four in five (81 percent) of full-time workers support a four-day workweek, while 7 percent oppose it and 13 percent neither support nor oppose it.
Support for a four-day workweek is high among all genders and generations, but women tend to support it more than men: 85 percent of women support a four-day workweek, compared to 77 percent of men.
Gen Xers stand apart as the generation far less likely to support a four-day workweek than Gen Zers, millennials and baby boomers, who all support it roughly equally:
- Gen Z: 83 percent
- Millennials: 83 percent
- Gen X: 77 percent
- Baby boomers: 82 percent
“The world is changing rapidly and in many ways. Among these shifts are generational differences in what workers aspire to while trying to optimize working conditions within the context of their everyday lives,” Hamrick says. “Given the continued high number of job openings in the U.S., employers who have the flexibility to accommodate evolving preferences for working conditions may gain competitive advances in attracting and retaining talent, particularly among younger and female workers.”
The vast majority of full-time workers who support a 4-day workweek would sacrifice to get it
The majority (89 percent) of the U.S. workforce who support a four-day workweek would sacrifice something at work to make it happen. Most commonly, 54 percent of those who support a four-day workweek would work longer on those four days:
Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
*Of U.S. Adults who are working full-time or looking for full-time employment and support a 4-day work week instead of 5
Those who support a four-day workweek would also change jobs or industries (37 percent), work in the office more often (27 percent) or take a pay cut (10 percent).
Gen Zers and millennials (92 percent, each), as well as Gen Xers (89 percent), would overwhelmingly sacrifice something for their preferred four-day workweek, compared to the 80 percent of baby boomers who would sacrifice something. Gen Zers and millennials were more likely than older generations to say they would change jobs or industries, or accept pay cuts.
68% of full-time workers support hybrid instead of fully in-office work
Over two in three (68 percent) full-time workers support a hybrid work schedule, working at least one day a week remotely and the other days in an office. Only 10 percent oppose it and 23 percent said they neither support nor oppose it.
Like those in favor of a four-day workweek, those in favor of hybrid work tend to be younger people and women. Three in four (75 percent) women support a hybrid work schedule, compared to 62 percent of men. Around three in four Gen Zers and millennials also support hybrid work:
- Gen Z: 75 percent
- Millennials: 74 percent
- Gen X: 63 percent
- Baby boomers: 54 percent
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Those in the Western U.S. tend to support hybrid work more than those in other regions, as do those with at least a college degree.
Those with only a high school degree or less, who may be less likely to work in an office role where hybrid or remote work is an option, are least likely (59 percent) to support hybrid work. However, only 11 percent outright oppose it — more commonly, 29 percent of those with only a high school degree or less say they don’t support or oppose a hybrid work schedule.
We asked: To what extent do you support or oppose a hybrid work schedule instead of a fully in-person work schedule?By region
Northeast Midwest South West Support 66% 62% 68% 73% Oppose 10% 13% 9% 7% Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
By education level
No high school or high school graduate Some college or two-year degree Four-year degree Post-graduate degree Support 59% 65% 77% 79% Oppose 11% 13% 13% 3% Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
Almost 3 in 4 who support a hybrid work schedule would sacrifice to do it
Just under three-fourths (73 percent) of full-time workers who support a hybrid work schedule would sacrifice something at their job to do it. Most commonly, 37 percent of those who support hybrid work say they would change jobs or industries for a role where they can hybrid work:
Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
*Of U.S. Adults who are working full-time or looking for full-time employment and support a hybrid work schedule instead of being fully in-person
People also said they would work off-peak hours, such as evenings and weekends (28 percent), or take a pay cut (10 percent).
The majority of Gen Zers (85 percent) who want hybrid work would make sacrifices; 19 percent would take pay cuts. Additionally, 77 percent of millennials who want hybrid work would make sacrifices, as would 62 percent of baby boomers.
64% of full-time workers support fully remote schedules over being in the office
Just under two in three (64 percent) U.S. adults in the workforce support a fully remote schedule instead of going into the office every day. Another 22 percent have no preference and 14 percent oppose it. Though the majority of the workforce still supports a fully remote schedule, more people oppose fully remote work than any other scheduling option. It’s the least popular schedule overall.
Women once again support fully remote work most frequently (70 percent, compared to 59 percent of men). While the majority of Gen Zers and millennials also tend to support fully remote work, Gen X comes in a close third:
- Gen Z: 68 percent
- Millennials: 69 percent
- Gen X: 62 percent
- Baby boomers: 50 percent
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Americans living in the western U.S. tend to support a remote work schedule the most frequently, as do those with a college education or more:
We asked: To what extent do you support or oppose a fully remote work schedule instead of a fully in-person work schedule?By region
Northeast Midwest South West Support 60% 56% 65% 71% Oppose 16% 21% 12% 11% Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
By education level
No high school or high school graduate Some college or two-year degree Four-year degree Post-graduate degree Support 58% 64% 71% 65% Oppose 16% 16% 11% 13% Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
78% of those who want a remote work schedule would sacrifice to do it
More than three-quarters (78 percent) of those who support a fully remote schedule instead of an in-office schedule would sacrifice something to do it. Most commonly, 42 percent would be willing to change jobs, employers or even industries:
Source: Bankrate survey, July 20-24, 2023
*Of U.S. Adults who are working full-time or looking for full-time employment and support a fully remote work schedule instead of fully in-person
More than one in three of those who support working remotely (35 percent) said they would work off-peak hours, like in the evenings or weekends; 28 percent said they would take a less interesting job or one they’re less passionate about; and 15 percent said they would take a pay cut.
Among generations, 83 percent of millennials and 81 percent of Gen Zers would sacrifice something at work — 21 percent of Gen Z would take a pay cut. Additionally, 76 percent of Gen X and 58 percent of baby boomers would sacrifice something.
4 things to remember when making a financial trade-off for a flexible schedule
If you’re dreaming of a longer weekend or working from the comfort of your own home, you may be prepared to sacrifice other benefits to get it. Consider these factors when looking for your next remote or hybrid role.
1. Check if a company offers remote or hybrid work
When applying to a new role, check the job listing to see if it’s in-office, hybrid or remote. If the listing doesn’t specify, ask about the company’s remote work policy during the interview process. Some companies offer remote work for some positions or departments, but not others. Even if a company doesn’t offer remote work for your role, consider negotiating for a hybrid schedule or the flexibility to work remotely on days you’re sick or running errands.
2. Think about salary requirements.
If you’re open to a pay cut in exchange for remote or hybrid work, it’s important to examine your budget first to see if you can afford a smaller paycheck. But don’t just accept any lower-paying role because it’s remote or hybrid. Set a competitive salary range for yourself that will allow you to pay your bills, save and enjoy the extra free time in your remote role. Additionally, while remote work can lead to better work-life balance or the chance to move to a more affordable location, if you plan to move states, check beforehand if the company adjusts pay due to location.
3. Compare benefits.
Remote roles are unlikely to offer the same catered lunches or commuting allowance as in-office jobs, which can affect your food and transportation budget. If comparing in-person and remote work at a company, ask about benefits and check to see if its remote benefits fit your needs. Companies often offer benefits specifically for remote workers, such as equipment stipends, co-working stipends, fitness discounts and other perks.
4. Think long-term.
Before making a big change for a remote role, consider your future salary and career goals. Remote work is a great way to find work-life balance, but, depending on the company, working in an office can make it easier to connect with colleagues. Both are valid priorities, but make sure you know which one is right for you. If you prefer remote work but still want to stand out in your career, try scheduling more one-on-one meetings with co-workers and attending local, in-person networking events. Additionally, keep an eye on a competitive salary range for your role to make sure your salary increases fairly, even if you work remotely.
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All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,367 US adults, of whom 1,137 are working full-time or currently looking for full-time employment. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20th – 24th July 2023. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+). The survey was carried out online and meets rigorous quality standards. It employed a non-probability-based sample using both quotas upfront during collection and then a weighting scheme on the back end designed and proven to provide nationally representative results.
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