The Newark Advertiser asked people their opinion on a four-day working week

As a four-day working week returns to topics around the country, we found out what people in Newark think of the idea and how beneficial it can be.

The full-time workers’ rights to ask for a four-day working week could be reinforced under the new Labour government with their plans to increase flexible working.

Workers would still have to work their full contracted hours in order to receive their full pay but could ask to compress their contracted hours into a shorter working week.

We went around Newark to hear what people thought about it and opinions varied due to reasons such as depending on the job, childcare and family time.

Jean Bunn said: “I think it would be worse because people get tired, 10 hours is too long but it also depends on what job you have got.

“It is a money-making scheme, people spend more money on Saturday and Sunday, they go out so an extra day to make three days will no be helping the normal person’s finances.

Her husband, Colin Bunn added: “I think five days is better because you need the interaction at work, I did anyway and I used to be in a computer all day programming, but we needed to see what each other was doing and pass ideas on.

“I could only work from about 7am till 4pm then my eyes would hurt from looking at the screen for so long.”

Natalie Max said: “Personally I think it would be beneficial because if you have young children then it helps to be flexible, the more flexible you can be the better.

“Compacting your work into four days and then having an extra day to look after yourself.

“Three-day weekends all the time would be perfect.”

Laura Mackey, who already condensed her working hours into four-days said: “I think it is beneficial, especially for me having a family so I get one extra day for my daughter.

“Although they are longer days, your work ethic is better, your morale is better, everything is better.

For example, instead of working five days a week eight-hour shifts, people could shorten it to four days a week but 10-hour shifts.

Since April, workers have already had the right to ask for flexible working as soon as they start a job but it is up to the company to decide whether to guarantee such a request or not.

The government has said it will not impose any changes on staff or businesses.

Marie Storrie said: “I would love to do a four-day week for a five days-pay.

“I would be happy because you have a longer weekend, which means having more time to spend with family, go away and shopping and socialising.”

Diane Dye said: “I think it would be a good idea, to have that flexibility because people need it.

“My daughter-in-law just had small children and has to worry about childcare, so working that works well, there is where flexibility is.

“Enforcing it? No, I don’t think they should enforce it.”

Dawn Jackson: “I don’t like it because I wouldn’t want to do a 10-hour shift, I rather do an extra day.

“I think it all depends if you have got children or animals at home and I have animals so working 10 hours and leaving them alone at home the whole day would be too long.”

Charlie McCarthy: “I already work about six days a week, which works out about 70 hours so I would keep it like that.”

Nicky Constable said: “I have children and I wouldn’t want to do longer shifts because then you have got the extra childcare on top of the days, schools only do after school until 6pm the most so anyone who works after that and has to pick up their children, it isn’t good.”

Charlie Fearon, self-employed at Kate Victoria Hair and Beauty said: “I think it depends on the person, someone who is single or their partner works away and they haven’t got much to do, maybe it would be beneficial that they get an extra day off, but families it might break into the family time.”

Kate Richardson, self-employed business owner of Kate Victoria Hair and Beauty said: “When you are self-employed it is way easier to spread it along the days, but it depends if you have got children but I think it depends on the person, I agree with Charlie.”

Now the Advertiser ask its readers — Do you think a four-day working week would be beneficial? How so?

Let us know in the comments or by emailing m.tavares@newarkadvertiser.co.uk.