Summer Fridays Are Good for Bosses and Employees
Ending a work week on a beautiful summer day can sometimes feel exhausting, and for good reason. The days are hotter, you do little, and your weekend plans are getting closer by the minute. It may sound ineffective, but the increasingly popular Summer Fridays work perk with early layoffs benefits not only you, but your employer as well. You will have more time for yourself, your boss will get a better job from you, and everyone will enjoy a wonderful day.
Employers retain top talent longer
More than 40% of companies will offer Summer Fridays in 2017, according to research firm Gartner . Gartner’s Brian Cropp says it’s an easy way to make employees happy: “Giving employees time with Summer Fridays is an inexpensive way to increase employee engagement, which in turn can increase employee productivity and drive business results.”
For employers Summer Fridays is a great way to give employees a privilege without sacrificing a lot of costs. After all, today is Friday. Who, then, is really committed to improving productivity? As it gets hot and the days become pleasant, people don’t focus on what is in front of them, but on what is outside the office windows. A Harvard University study found that the better the weather, the lower the productivity of bank employees. The bad weather, interestingly, increased productivity.
Employees work more, burn out less
You might think Summer Fridays are the opposite of increasing productivity, but the myth that working long hours to get things done is just a myth.
Productivity drops after 50 hours of work per week. A Stanford University study found that workers who work longer “may experience fatigue or stress that not only impairs his or her productivity, but also increases the likelihood of mistakes, accidents and illness, which impose costs on the employer.”
Seasonal work is great, but there are other factors to keep in mind before diving in the door in the afternoon. If you are chatting with people from other companies who have no way to leave early, be sure to keep them posted so you don’t get caught off guard on your day trip to the beach or backyard. After all, Summer Fridays only work when you do your job.
But employees with benefits on Summer Fridays are more likely to work more productive hours four days before the end of the week because their work hours have been cut by several hours. Shorter working hours mean more time for yourself, and more time for yourself means less burnout.