But what are so-called “summer hours” and how do they work?
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Since the pandemic, flexible working has become more commonplace.
It typically include remote working or hybrid – split between the usual workplace and home or somewhere else, but it can also include compressed, staggered or flexible working hours, or job sharing – where multiple people split one role.
According to HMRC, everyone has the legal right to request flexible working – namely the days or hours they work, start and finish time, and the location at which they work – from their first day in a job.
This is known as a statutory application, which employers must consider “in a reasonable manner”.
But some workplaces have “summer hours” initiatives, where you may be allowed to finish early on a Friday during summer months – usually June, July and August.
In some cases, businesses will expect staff to make up the time elsewhere, whereas others don’t have this obligation. The conditions will vary based on your contract.
Employers have reported that staff who get flexible working hours have better mental and physical wellbeing, higher productivity and are more engaged with their job.
And a report by Deloitte found happier workers at a UK call centre worked faster and achieved 13% more sales than their less-happy colleagues.
Summer hours can also entice new joiners.
Molly Johnson-Jones, CEO of Flexa, said offering flexible and summer hours can help attract top talent, with 21% of job seekers last month expressing a preference for a role with summer hours.
Mutual trust, good communication – such as letting your team know if you plan to be off and time management are key to flexible working schemes’ success.
The idea is not industry-specific, book publishers and advertising agencies to tech startups and cereal giants are seeing the benefits.
We’ve rounded up a list of firms offering the work perk.
A+E Networks EMEA – broadcasting
At A+E, subject to company performance and manager approval, employees can take Friday afternoons off in the summer without having to make up the hours.
They will be encouraged to “master workload management and learn how to work smarter through a series of webinars”, offered by the HR department.
ASOS – online clothing retailer
ASOS offers the perk of a 3pm finish on Fridays throughout June, July and August.
There are no specific conditions or criteria.
Collins Property Recruitment – recruiter
As well as summer hours, Collins operates on a four-day week all year round, with unlimited annual leave.
When was the minimum wage introduced?
THE first National Minimum Wage was put in place in 1998 by the Labour government.
It originally applied to workers aged 22 and over, and there was a separate rate for those aged 18-21.
A separate rate for 16-17-year-olds was introduced in 2004, and in 2010, 21-year-olds became eligible for the adult rate of the National Minimum Wage.
The rate is set by the Government each year based on recommendations by the Low Pay Commission (LPC).
Figures – compensation management software
This Paris-based scaleup, which offers positions across France, Germany, Netherlands and the UK, offers a four-day work week in July and August.
Acknowledging the lower activity in summer, it says by releasing pressure on the team, they are more likely to come back “fully charged for the last part of the year”.
The benefit sits in addition to its “nine-day fortnight”, which gives employees Friday or Wednesday off every other week.
Hurree – data analytics platform
Summer Fridays allow the team at Hurree to take time off on Fridays during the summer months.
Staff can work extra hours Monday-Thursday to enjoy either a half-day or a full day off on Friday.
Employees are expected to communicate with one another about when they will be out of the office.
Kellanova (Kellogg’s and Pringles parent company) – food manufacturer
Staff can finish at 12 on Friday 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 in now in its 21st year.
Lintbells (YuMOVE parent) – pet supplement supplier
The team can finish at 2pm from end of June to beginning of September to encourage better work/life balance and “allow them to feel more appreciated and trusted”.
Mr B & Friends – ad agency
Summer hours here started out as a 1pm Friday finish during British Summer Time (March to October) but this has since been rolled out as a year-round benefit.
It’s applicable to everyone in the business, but negates the option of working flexible hours (start/finish) on Fridays.
Penguin Random House – book publisher
All staff are given the option of taking Fridays off during summer months.
Picnic – advertising agency
Picnic offers “Summer Fridays”, giving all staff the option to finish at 3pm on a Friday through July and August.
There is no expectation on anyone to make up the hours.
Staff can decide depending on deadlines and workload from week to week.
A client success team is available if clients get in touch, but its members can usually take the same time off as everyone else.
tms – business consultancy
“Summer Fridays” here mean people can finish at 1.30pm, with no need to make up the time elsewhere.
Employees are encouraged to keep Fridays meeting-free, so they can use the time to focus on work or personal development.
Broadly, tms offers flexible working around its “core hours” of Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, where people must be available or online. The one exception is that everyone must be online on Monday at 9.30am to start the week together.
Tomorrow Group – digital marketing agency
All employees are allowed to finish at 2.30pm on Fridays in July and August.
For anyone who does not work Fridays, the adjustment is made for them earlier in the week.
Unmind – Mental health platform
All staff are allowed to finish at 3pm on Fridays from 21 June to 31 August.
Summer hours are in addition to Unmind’s “Revive and Thrive” initiative, which launched in January, where the whole company takes off the second Friday of each month.
Everyone is eligible, but a rota system is in place for the customer support team.
If someone needs to work during the designated time off, they can take time off at another point.
Wetransfer – Online computer file transfer software
Wetransfer gives all staff Fridays off throughout August, in addition to year-round flexible working and a shutdown over the winter break.
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