Ever more mobile workers call for more flexible recreation hours

New research from Barclay's Bank has showed that a significant percentage of people have noted a shift in opening hours of hospitality and leisure businesses, reflecting a change in how and when people live their lives.

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As the traditional 9-5 working day becomes less and less common, the times at which people want to go to the pub, grab a meal or work out at the gym are changing, according to new research from Barclays Bank Ireland.

The hospitality and leisure report by Barclays Bank Ireland, entitled Open All Hours found that nearly half (46%) of Irish workers now work extended hours, part-time, flexibly or according to a shift pattern. Furthermore, 24% of Irish adults believe they work longer hours than their parents, with one in four also facing a longer commute to the workplace than previous generations. The research also found that these new working pattern are impacting people’s leisure time; for example nearly half (45 percent) of people are eating dinner much later than their parents did at their age.

This trend is likely to accelerate further over the coming years with 49% of people looking to move away from traditional 9-5 hours by either increasing the number of hours they work, starting earlier and finishing earlier, starting later and finishing later, or by adopting a flexible working day arrangement.

On average, those aged 18 – 34 years old are most frustrated that they cannot access hospitality services when they want. Nearly half (43%) of this ‘on demand’ generation say that they expect 24-hour services, compared to just 16% of 35-44 year olds. Over a third (36%) of Gen-Z workers (18-24 year olds) explained the reason behind their demand for “out of hours” services as due to long working hours, compared to 29% of millennials (25-34 year olds) and 19% of 45-54 year olds.

Commenting on the report, Brian Wallace, Relationship Director for Barclays Bank Ireland said: said this research represents an opportunity for businesses. “This is a chance for businesses willing and able to adapt to the changing consumption needs of today’s workers,” he said. “Apart from recalibrating operating hours, companies that invest appropriately in technology, such as online reservation or check-in platforms, are likely to attract a new cohort of customers and boost their long-term competitiveness by catering to this growing consumer demand for agile living.”

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