Our day shift has ended at 12 p.m. on Fridays since June and productivity has jumped in response.
While the nine-to-five may seem like they have been around for an eternity the truth is that working patterns have always been in a state of flux, changing along with other trends in wider society. Today, one of the most noticeable trends in reducing the working week while keeping productivity high.
This year, thousands of UK workers began the world’s biggest trial of four-day weeks: more than 3,300 workers at 70 UK companies started working a four-day week in June with no loss of pay in the world’s biggest trial of the new working pattern. Following the so-called 100:80:100 model – 100% of pay for 80% of the time, in exchange for a commitment to maintain 100% productivity – businesses are experimenting with ways of maintaining and even boosting productivity while giving staff more time to live their lives.
Other experiments are underway internationally, including in the United States, Europe and elsewhere, noting the results of a 2014 research paper from Stanford University in the US that said that workers’ productivity plunged when they worked over 50 hours per week, to the point that people working 70 hours per week were getting the same amount of work done as those working 55 hours. Trials in held in Iceland in 2015 and 2019, meanwhile, showed no drop in productivity.
Among the companies interested in re-configuring the traditional working week is Nuneaton Roof Truss. As a leading designer and manufacturer of roof trusses, Nuneaton Roof Truss enjoys high productivity thanks to the skill and dedication of our staff as well as our investment in training, equipment and the business in general. We are also a family business, though, so we know time spent with family matters.
As a result, in June of this year we made a dramatic change, beginning our policy of early finishing on Fridays.
Why we chose to change our working schedule
For Nuneaton Roof Truss, choosing to alter our working patterns does not mean reducing our output. In fact, Nuneaton Roof Truss also has a night shift and Saturday overtime is also available, ensuring we can meet customer deadlines.
However, by reducing our day shift we have increased output. Overall, we have seen a 15% increase in productivity, while sick time has dropped dramatically.
As our move to a shorter day shift working week was developed as a staff wellbeing measure, these findings come as a welcome confirmation of the policy’s virtues. Indeed, the idea originated with Scott McEwan, Nuneaton Roof Truss’s managing director, who felt that after two years of the pandemic and restrictions, our team deserved to be rewarded for their sterling efforts.
By choosing to work smarter, including investment in equipment and taking a broader approach to staff wellbeing, we have ensured that our timber products, which are in high demand, get out to customers on schedule even with a shorter week.
Why choose Nuneaton Roof Truss?
Nuneaton Roof Truss is the manufacturer of choice for all engineered timber requirements. Whether you’re planning one house or many, housebuilders, and construction firms all over the UK put their trust in us. If you’re interested in our industry-leading, eco-friendly services, click here to get a quote or call us on 02476 327722 to find out how we can support your business and projects.
