Survey asks about 40-hour workweeks, flexibility and stress

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico — Seven out of 10 workers think employers should reconsider the 40-hour workweek, according to the results of a recent survey from job search website FlexJobs.

For its 2024 Workplace Wellness Report, FlexJobs surveyed nearly 3,100 U.S.-based professionals to gain insight into their work experiences. Respondents shared how today’s work landscape is affecting their career choices and perspectives on the future of work, including their health and wellness.

Most of the respondents (89%) said they want more flexible work arrangements, such as compressed schedules and four-day workweeks. Only 11% are OK with keeping the standard five-day workweek as is.

Other notable results:

• Excessive workloads (34%), toxic bosses (31%) and unrealistic expectations from managers (31%) were cited as the top work stressors.
• Because of work-related stress, 72% of the respondents have had difficulty sleeping or have experienced changes to their sleep patterns, 54% have turned to comfort eating or unhealthy snacking, and 48% are more irritable or have a shortened temper.

More than half of the respondents (56%) believe a remote work environment is best for their mental health, while 43% would prefer a hybrid workplace. Only 1% of the respondents said full-time, in-office work is best for their mental health.

Notably, 58% of the respondents said they’d take a pay cut if they could work remotely from anywhere.