The Cool perks: how Summer Fridays boost workplace morale

Summer weather this year has been a bit hit and miss, but the longer days and (normally) warmer weather lend themselves to increased outdoor activities and socialising. Could your organisation help your employees strike a better work-life balance with a Summer Fridays programme?

A Summer Fridays programme could be just the ticket, allowing employees to enjoy Friday or Friday afternoons off during the summer months to help them enjoy that better work-life balance.

The concept of Summer Fridays began in the 1960’s in New York City, mainly among advertising firms. These agencies started letting employees take off on Fridays to beat the traffic to the Hamptons for the weekend. This is now a benefit offered by almost 55% of US companies.

Some of the benefits of offering Summer Fridays

  • Enhanced work-life balance: employees can enjoy summer activities, spend time with their family and friends, travel for a weekend away, etc.
  • Increased productivity: the anticipation of a long weekend is likely to motivate employees to complete their tasks within the shorter work week.
  • Improved employee wellbeing: increased relaxation time for employees, thus reducing the risk of burnout.
  • Attraction and retention of employees: companies that put the wellbeing of their employees first are seen as more desirable and a major attraction for potential and current employees.
  • Reduced absenteeism: employees can manage their time more effectively, e.g., scheduling of appointments and personal activities during this designated time off.
  • Increased morale: employees are able to enjoy major events such as the Euros, Olympics, Wimbledon, etc.

Considerations for implementing Summer Fridays

Although Summer Fridays is a popular perk in the eyes of employees, it is important to consider factors that affect employee groups and different sectors in various ways.

  • Exclusion of certain worker groups: due to working patterns, a Summer Friday scheme may exclude part-time employees.
  • Industry limitations: sectors such as healthcare and hospitality are likely to experience higher demand during the summer months, making the implementation of reduced hours challenging.

Ways of implementing the programme

There are various ways in which a Summer Friday programme can work.

  • Every Friday off: this is one of the most generous versions of Summer Fridays. All employees have every Friday off during the Summer.
  • Every other Friday off: instead of giving all employees the same Friday off, half of the company would take one Friday off, and the other half of the company would take the other Friday off.
  • Half day Fridays: all employees receive a half day every Friday.
  • Flexible summer hours: instead of restricting employees to taking time off on Fridays, they can use their summer hours during different days in the week.
  • Work extra hours in return for time off on Friday: employees work additional hours during Monday-Thursday in order to take those hours off on a Friday.

Companies that already have a Summer Fridays programme

  • EMEA: subject to company performance and manager approval, employees can take friday afternoons off in the summer without having to make up the hours.
  • PwC: employees can condense their working week to finish at lunchtime on fridays. Following the programme’s pilot, a survey of PwC employees showed that:
    • 93% said it positively impacted their day-to-day working experience
    • 73% said it positively impacted their general wellbeing to a great extent
  • ASOS: employees are allowed to finish at 3pm on fridays throughout June, July and August. There are no specific conditions or criteria.
  • Kellanova (Kellogg’s and Pringles parent company): Staff can finish at 12pm on fridays from May to September if they have worked their contractual hours the rest of the week. This applies to office-based and field sales employees. The scheme is now in its 21st “We have been offering summer hours for 20 years now because we know it works. By giving our people half a day for themselves every week, it allows them to recharge and unwind. Not only is this great for people’s mental and physical wellbeing, but it also leads to increased productivity and motivation.” – Chris Silcock, head of Kellogg’s UK
  • WeTransfer: staff are given all fridays off throughout August, in addition to year-round flexible working and a shutdown over the winter break.
  • L’Oreal: staff members finish at 3pm on a friday.

Conclusion

Summer Fridays programmes enhance employee morale, productivity and work-life balance. They also help attract and retain talent by promoting a more flexible and employee-centric workplace. Implementing these programmes shows appreciation for employees, leading to a happier and more engaged workforce.

If your company is considering a more permanent four-day work week and not just a summer perk, it’s worth looking at some of the challenges as well as the positives in our blog. And if you have any questions about implementing a Summer Fridays programme, or a four-day work week, get in touch and one of our consultants will be happy to have a chat.