Studies show reduced work hours result in fewer staff sick days and dramatic improvements to satisfaction 

Workplace 'Summer Fridays' are now resurfacing in multiple companies across the UK, with employers allowing their staff to clock off earlier on a Friday as pressure to implement four-day weeks mounts. The trend quickly soared in popularity after a report from PwC last year showed its benefits to staff wellbeing and productivity - with 90% of their staff in agreement with its positive impact. A study last year revealed that firms that reduced their working week to 32 hours experienced a 65% reduction in the number of sick days taken and a 57% decline in the likelihood that an employee would quit—dramatically improving job retention. Andrew Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Rethinkly - a metaverse platform helping resolve workplace wellbeing challenges - comments on how flexible working promotes employee satisfaction and a healthy work-life balance.

It has been evidenced that working long hours is associated with poor wellbeing outcomes including increased work-related stress, burnout, anxiety and poor sleep. New research from Rethinkly shows that over a fifth of UK employees (23%) say their productivity at work is 50% or less of what it could be due to poor mental health. Understanding this, the virtual reality software that is used in NHS mental health settings provides a safe space for employers and leaders to visualise the outcomes of a scheme prior to its trial. 

Co-founder of Rethinkly Andrew Jackson, discusses the importance of communication in the workplace and how companies can prioritise wellbeing:

"Summer hours serve a good business model at a time when companies are struggling to attract and retain employees. 

"Businesses are increasingly not relying on old HR processes or approaches to deal with new ways of working. That means finding solutions that can scale across your business and being flexible to empower team members.

"Whether work is a grind or a dream job, we spend an average of 13-14 years of our lives doing it. Work has a huge impact on our wellbeing, underpinning the culture, relationships, and how work gets done. Ambitious organisations understand their role in actively addressing employee wellbeing and the opportunity for their businesses. There is a direct payback both financially as data shows spending £1 will get them £5 back, and in growth by unlocking innovation and creativity.
 
“Consider as well how much organisations spend on health insurance and sick leave payments, versus how much they spend helping employees to communicate better and build better relationships. Turning the equation around will help to improve the bottom line. With better communication and more reflection business can expect to see a direct positive impact."