Just 6% of Brits work 9am to 5pm, study shows

Just six per cent of Brits actually work nine to five, a YouGov study has shown.

Dolly Parton sang about those working hours as it was seen as the norm, statistics suggest that only a minority of people do those traditional hours.

A YouGov survey commissioned by McDonald’s found that just six per cent of people work such hours, with many even saying they prefer to start earlier.

The study found that more people are working flexibly nowadays, with 42 per cent of people working flexibly in one form or another, such as job sharing or compressed hours.

Workers say they now expect to have 10 jobs or more in their working lifetime.

Jobs that offer earlier starts and a shorter working week are most appealing to workers, the study found.

A huge 57 per cent of people in full-time employment would like to start earlier than 9am and finish earlier than 5pm.

In a survey of 4,000 adults in the UK, it was found that starting at 8am and finishing at 4pm was the most preferable option.

And 21 per cent of people said they would prefer to start work at 7am, finishing at 3pm.

Paul Pomroy, CEO of McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said “People are looking for jobs that work for them. This research reflects our belief that to attract, retain and motivate, employers need to create opportunities that genuinely work for people whatever their age, life stage, or ambition.

“The business case is clear, as are the links to improved happiness and wellbeing – people simply don’t want to work 9-5 anymore.

“They want to work more flexibly, but that doesn’t diminish ambition, desire or opportunity to progress.”

The study found that a sociable workplace ties with pay as top criteria for ‘good jobs’ among almost two-thirds of all adults closely followed by flexibility to work the hours and patterns that suit and a convenient location.

However, barriers remain. Almost a third of workers don’t believe their employer would let them work flexibly.