C
hristmas in the UK is a period when most businesses shut down, leaving only a handful of essential services—nurses, train drivers, police—to keep working. A CVMaker analysis of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings ranks the real‑estate sector (estate agents) as the fifth‑shortest‑working‑week industry, indicating that its employees are likely to enjoy the longest holiday break.
The survey examined average weekly hours across all UK sectors, revealing a national average of 39.1 hours. Women work an average of 37.8 hours, men 39.8 hours. In real estate, the overall average drops to 38.1 hours, 3 % below the national figure. Women in the sector clock 37.3 hours weekly, men 38.8 hours.
**Top five shortest‑working‑week industries**
| Industry | Avg. Weekly Hours | Men | Women |
|----------|-------------------|-----|-------|
| Education | 35.2 | 35.8 | 34.8 |
| Financial & insurance | 36.0 | 36.2 | 35.8 |
| Professional, scientific & technical | 37.6 | 38.1 | 36.9 |
| Other services | 37.6 | 38.3 | 36.9 |
| Information & communication | 38.0 | 38.1 | 37.6 |
| Real estate | 38.1 | 38.8 | 37.3 |
Women consistently work fewer hours than men in every sector, with the smallest gap (0.4 hours) in financial services and the largest (3.5 hours) in construction. The education sector offers the shortest weeks for both genders, and women in education work the fewest hours of any group studied.
**Top five longest‑working‑week industries**
| Industry | Avg. Weekly Hours | Men | Women |
|----------|-------------------|-----|-------|
| Agriculture, forestry & fishing | 42.7 | 43.7 | 42.2 |
| Transportation & storage | 42.0 | 42.8 | 38.8 |
| Construction | 41.4 | 41.9 | 38.4 |
| Water supply & waste management | 41.3 | 42.2 | 38.1 |
| Accommodation & food services | 40.5 | 41.2 | 39.5 |
| Administrative & support services | 40.1 | 41.1 | 38.5 |
Nicky Klaasse, CVMaker CEO, told Digital Journal that the study highlights which industries may offer better work‑life balance during the holidays. “The education sector’s notably shorter hours explain its appeal, even with lower pay,” Klaasse said. She added that women’s consistently lower hours across all sectors point to ongoing challenges with workplace flexibility and caregiving responsibilities. “Understanding these norms can help job seekers set realistic expectations when considering a career change,” she noted.
Klaasse also observed that the widest gender gaps appear in traditionally male‑dominated fields such as construction and transportation, whereas more gender‑balanced sectors show smaller differences.
Dr. Tim Sandle, Digital Journal’s Editor‑at‑Large for science news, brings expertise in science, technology, environment, business, and health journalism. A practising microbiologist and author, he also has interests in history, politics, and current affairs.
