Future of Workplace. Given 4-day work week, most Indians would learn new skill

PTI Updated - March 20, 2019 at 12:35 PM.

Learning a new skill or hobby is a top priority for 66 per cent of India’s professionals if they were to get a four-day work week, according to a recent survey.

With ‘more time’, most workers wished they had time to learn a new skill or pursue a hobby followed by watching TV, movies or listening to music, according to Kronos Incorporated survey ‘Future of Workplace’ series.

“It’s not surprising to see that the survey reflects an aspiring young India seeking more opportunities to acquire a new skill, unlearn or relearn if they find spare time or added time as a key getaway. It’s rather intriguing to see that they might put off a family vacation and instead put in those extra hours to acquire a new skill or a certification,” Kronos Incorporated country manager, India, James Thomas said.

In their personal lives, the top five things people worldwide wish they could do more of are spend time with family (44 per cent), travel (43 per cent), exercise (33 per cent), spend time with friends (30 per cent) and pursue their hobbies (29 per cent).

Employees in France, Germany, the US and the UK listed ‘sleep more’ as a top priority, while in the UK, workers wished they had time to learn a new skill or pursue a hobby.

The Workforce Institute at Kronos Incorporated global survey examining 3,000 employees across eight nations including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Mexico, the UK and the US.

Meanwhile, the survey further revealed that India led the way as the hardest-working country, with a whopping 69 per cent of full-time employees saying they would still work five days a week even if they had the option to work fewer days for the same pay.

While Mexico was the second-highest at 43 per cent of workers working five-day week on same pay followed by the US at 27 per cent.

The UK (16 per cent), France (17 per cent) and Australia (19 per cent) are the least content with the standard five-day work week, it added.

Published on March 19, 2019 16:04