IES News

For the most part, it's true that everybody is working for the weekend. So it's no surprise that 28 percent respondents of a recent OfficeTeam survey said that leaving early on Fridays is one of the benefits they'd most like to see during the summer months.

However, more important than leaving early was having a flexible schedule this summer, which 41 percent of those polled said they preferred.

"Businesses introducing flexible work arrangements should establish clear policies to ensure productivity isn't negatively affected," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "It's beneficial to stagger schedules and cross-train individuals so there's always staff coverage."

On the flip side, more than 500 HR administration professionals were asked which benefits were offered at their companies. Seventy-five percent said they provide flexible schedules, while 63 percent said they allow workers to leave early on Fridays. What's more, 57 percent said they're okay with a more relaxed dress code, while 28 percent had office activities such as company picnics or potluck.

One example of such sentiment can be seen at University of Miami, where its Flexible Summer Workweek Program allows campus-based employees to work a four-day week to balance personal and family needs with work obligations, according to the institution's website.