Who hasn’t dreamt of a three-day weekend? For some workers, the dream has become a reality thanks to compressed working hours. This is a model of flexible working that essentially sees workers split their working hours across fewer days. The total number of weekly hours remains the same, as does the salary. Compressed hours is a form of flexible working that can be combined with hybrid or remote working to further enhance the work-life balance of employees.
What are the different types of compressed hours?
The compressed hours model encompasses a range of different schedules. A four-day working week is just one iteration of compressed hours. In this model, employees work longer hours over four days and then take Friday off. Alternatively, longer hours might be worked over a period of two weeks and every other Friday is taken off.
Companies can also adopt a staggered version of compressed hours, varying the day different teams have off to ensure some coverage over all five days. A further variant of compressed hours is to calculate hours over a whole year. This can work well for businesses who are busier at certain times of year than others.
What are the benefits of compressed hours for businesses and employees?
In 2022, 61 UK companies participated in a 6-month trial of a four-day working week. This trial demonstrated benefits for both businesses and employees. The report shows 39% of employees were less stressed and 71% had reduced levels of burnout, as well as lower anxiety, fatigue and sleep issues. 62% also reported it was easier to combine work with social life. In summary, 15% of workers concluded that no amount of money would induce them to return to a five-day week. Meanwhile, businesses reported an increase in revenue over the course of the trial. Staff retention improved significantly during the trial period, with a 57% decrease in staff turnover.
How to ask your boss about compressed hours.
Following a change to the law in April 2024, workers now have the right to request flexible working from day one of their employment. This request could include compressed working hours. To increase your chances of success, discuss your request first with your line manager. Consider whether compressed hours are appropriate for your role, and how the change might affect aspects of your work such as collaboration or line management. You’ll need to show how you intend to organise your time if you are working compressed hours in order to still meet deadlines. Remember, Working Time Regulations still apply, which govern how many hours you can work each week and how many breaks you should take.
What are the downsides of compressed hours?
Ok, so you’ve gained a free day. But don’t forget, to earn that free day you’ll be working an additional one or two hours on the other days of the week. Consider whether you can handle these longer working days and how this will affect your daily routines. If you are required to attend the office several days a week then how will that affect the time you have to leave the house in the morning, and the time you get home at night? These factors could impact your mental or physical health, counteracting the benefits of the additional day off.
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