Findings from a recent Fórsa survey have exposed a sharp shift in the perception of what were once seen as unconventional working arrangements. The results indicate a huge desire among staff across all grades for further experimentation to redefine and improve their work-life balance.

In December, Fórsa's Revenue branches launched a survey to assess attitudes towards atypical working arrangements. This issue-specific survey aimed to capture the views and opinions of individuals in Revenue working in grades represented by Fórsa. The Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS) conducted the same survey simultaneously, and the results also favoured new initiatives in how work is structured.

The revealing survey of 1058 people was carried out between December 1st to 15th and uncovered the widespread adoption of hybrid working practices in Revenue. A substantial majority of 803 participants spent only 1-2 days per week in the office, while 63 individuals committed to a more frequent 3–4-day presence. Only 93 people from 1058 staff surveyed adhered to a full-time office-based schedule. This data underscores a significant shift in traditional work norms within the department.

An overwhelming 59.4% of participants strongly agreed that blended work has been a success in Revenue and would welcome more flexibility. According to 59.7 % blended working had improved their quality of life.

Most participants felt that the four-day week would improve their work life balance.  The survey builds on the results of Ireland’s first coordinated reduced work time trial back in 2022. That project, backed by Fórsa and carried out in partnership with Four-Day Week Ireland, University College Dublin (UCD), and Boston College, studied the impact a four-day working week would have on businesses and employees in Ireland. After the trial all participating companies planned to continue with the shorter week schedule with employees reporting a significant improvement in life satisfaction and a range of positive wellbeing outcomes.

Offering her reflections on this latest survey, Úna Faulkner, Assistant General Secretary at Fórsa said: “The four-day week is no longer an outlier idea. Through this survey we gave people the chance to put their opinions about atypical working arrangements on the table. The results show that staff in one of the largest civil service departments are sending a clear signal that this is the direction of travel we need to be going in. This is a powerful mandate that empowers Fórsa to advocate for a transformation that will bring huge benefits to workers.”

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