Two thirds of in-house lawyers claim they are more attracted by the prospect of a four-day week than a year ago, according to research from legal recruiter Laurence Simons.

Two in three said they are willing to cut their salary by a fifth and lose £16,500 a year to have a three-day weekend, with just 6% less attracted to a four-day week than this time last year, while just over a quarter of respondents did not feel differently.

Naveen Tuli, managing director of Laurence Simons, says: “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.”