Why we love Summer Fridays at Nulab
Did you know that about 65% of employees reported feeling burnt out last year? At Nulab, we understand how important it is to tackle this issue by creating a supportive and healthy work environment that puts our team’s well-being first.
One of the ways we’re doing this is with Summer Fridays, where our employees get to clock off at lunchtime during the summer. This gives our team more time to relax, recharge, and start their weekends early, helping them maintain a healthier work-life balance and reducing the risk of burnout.
Nulab introduced Summer Fridays in the summer of 2020. “We wanted to improve work-life balance and engagement and prevent burnout,” says Ayasha, HR generalist in Amsterdam.
Summer Fridays have also been a tradition in our New York office for the last four years. “We wanted to give our staff the chance to recharge and start their weekends earlier in the summer,” Bianca, HR Coordinator in New York, says. “It’s all about giving them that extra time to relax.”
We asked some of our team members how they spend their Summer Fridays and what they think about this initiative. Here’s what they had to say.
Silvia: Product Communications and Content Manager, Amsterdam
Silvia’s recent Summer Friday spent unwinding in the Estonian outdoors
Whether it’s extra time for planning trips, beach days, workouts, family outings, long lunches, or just relaxing at home, Silvia, our Product Communications and Content Manager in Amsterdam, finds her Friday afternoons off are a fantastic way to make the most of her summer. “I’ve been able to plan more time outdoors and avoid the start-of-the-weekend rush to get out of town,” she says.
Silvia also feels that Summer Fridays has improved her stress levels, mental health, and job satisfaction. “The extra flexibility has given me a chance to focus on my personal well-being — I’ve taken up old hobbies again, like volleyball and running,” she says, sharing that this has left her feeling more energized and efficient at work.
The benefits of Summer Fridays extend beyond just personal time, though. Silvia has also noticed a positive impact on her work performance, with the extra time off each week encouraging her to be even more productive. “The half-day hasn’t hindered my performance; if anything, it motivates me to finish my responsibilities faster so I can get on with my day,” Silvia adds.
For one of her most recent Summer Fridays, Silvia decided to make the most of her downtime by unwinding in nature. “I spent my Friday afternoon a few weeks ago playing sudoku and catching up on reading during a weekend away in Estonia,” she says.
Bianca: HR Coordinator, New York
Bianca’s weekend upstate with loved ones and their furry friends
In New York, our HR Coordinator, Bianca, has also used the extra time to make the most of her travel plans. “I was able to get a head start on traveling upstate for the weekend three Fridays ago with my friends and our dogs! There was a sauna right outside our cabin, so that was very relaxing,” she says.
Gabriele: Senior Software Engineer, Europe
One of our Senior Software Engineers, Gabriele, also loves the freedom that Summer Fridays gives families. “Parents with little kids often have to schedule their activities around their children’s needs,” he explains. “Summer Fridays are great because I have a few hours in the afternoon when my daughter is still at school and I’m not at work.”
Having a few free hours before the business day ends gives Gabriele time to work out, do house chores, or just relax. “Having extra time to take care of myself or my house and family makes me feel more relaxed at work. This definitely increases productivity,” he says.
Brandi: Content Marketing Manager, New York
Brandi kicked off her anniversary weekend early with a visit to the Cheers bar.
Our Content Marketing Manager in New York, Brandi, is a pro at strategizing, so it makes sense she recently made the most of Summer Fridays to get a head start for a special occasion. “I was able to get a head start on my anniversary weekend to Boston and even squeezed in a visit to the Cheers bar,” she says. “It allowed us to drive there in the afternoon and get the whole day Saturday rather than going up early the next morning.”
Brandi’s savvy use of Summer Fridays shows how it’s all about making the workday more efficient and leaving plenty of room for fun, relaxation, and maybe even a few celebratory drinks. Cheers to that!
Thinking about implementing Summer Fridays?
Considering bringing Summer Fridays to your company? Here are some fun and practical tips to help you get started:
Start small
Kick things off with a pilot program. This way, you can see how it goes and gather feedback from your team. It’s like a trial run to iron out any kinks before rolling it out company-wide.
Ask for feedback
Regular check-ins with your employees are key. Ask them how the program is working for them and use their feedback to make improvements. This shows that you value their input and are committed to making the program work for everyone.
Encourage employees
Encourage your team to fully embrace this time off to relax, recharge, and enjoy their afternoons. It’s essential that employees understand the importance of actually taking the afternoon off and not just working through it.
Final thoughts
Overall, Nulab employees love the benefits of Summer Fridays, not just as a fun perk but also as a reflection of a supportive company. “I feel that my time is valued, and that mindset is reflected throughout the organization,” as Silvia puts it.
After seeing firsthand the benefits of Summer Fridays, we’re excited to continue supporting our employees in achieving a fulfilling life both inside and outside the office. Thinking about implementing it at your company? Go ahead and give it a try — your team will thank you!