IT professionals willing to sacrifice cash for more time off

IT professionals are increasingly attracted to the prospect of a shorter working week and are prepared to sacrifice thousands of pounds to get it.

According to research carried out by recruitment company Greythorn, 66% of IT and telecommunications professionals are more attracted by the prospect of a four day week than they were a year ago, and they are willing to have their salaries cut by £10,500 a year.

The survey, which questioned 2,882 people who earned an average of just over £50,000 a year, found that only 6% were less attracted by a shorter week in return for less money.

Paul Winchester, managing director of Greythorn, said, "Appetite for a greater work-life balance is a sure indication that people feel more secure in their jobs. Since the recession, people have had to knuckle down and work harder.

"But as the economy picks up and there is less pressure on employers to make redundancies, people are increasingly prioritising a work-life balance. During hard times 'presenteeism' increases and people work longer hours - the quality of their lifestyle becomes less of an issue when they are they are constantly looking over their shoulders.

"Employers now need to look at whether their current employment terms are flexible enough to satisfy this demand."

The surveyed group were all in work. With thousands of IT professionals and recent IT graduates out of work or being forced to do jobs outside IT, the survey's results might be hard for many to stomach.

One IT professional said IT work tends to be quite flexible anyway. "I know lots of IT workers that do four-day weeks, but they tend to work much longer hours on the days they are working."