Earlier than I joined Buffer in 2022 as a content material author, I had my justifiable share of labor expertise: jobs and internships throughout each undergrad and graduate college. I labored a full time, 40-hour every week, place at a nonprofit once I was 22, and as a TV/film journalist at a preferred publication. However it wasn’t till I made the transfer to Buffer that I used to be launched to what has felt to me like a radical idea: the 4 day workweek.
After I first seen the content material author opening on Buffer’s Journey web page – I did a double take. Out of all the roles I’ve utilized for (and belief me, there have been loads) it was the primary time I had ever seen an organization promote a shorter work week on their advantages web page. And to make clear, at Buffer, we take Fridays off however are nonetheless paid our full wage.
Buffer has been a completely distant firm since its inception in 2010, which is sooner than many made the change. We then moved to a shorter work week in 2020.The transfer didn’t come as a shock for a lot of who have been already acquainted with Buffer’s tradition and our CEO Joel Gascoigne’s imaginative and prescient for the corporate, together with iOS engineer Jordan Morgan who has been a Bufferoo (our time period for Buffer teammate) since 2015.
“It is one thing that did not shock me, however in a great way,” stated Jordan. “As a result of Joel is so daring with how he runs the corporate. And that’s why I like working right here… he’s all the time looking out for us.”
Most consultants agree on the advantages of the 4 day work week, not just for staff, however for the corporate as an entire. I’ll element what my expertise with a shorter work week has been like together with sharing how a few of my teammates spend their Fridays off.
Why transfer to a 4 day work week within the first place?
The choice to shift to a shorter week in 2020 stemmed from a want to supply extra flexibility and help to Buffer staff throughout a troublesome time. Not solely have been the early months of the pandemic significantly difficult for a lot of on a private stage, but it surely additionally difficult the work-life stability for people worldwide. A survey finished in late 2020 discovered that 70 p.c of employees began working throughout weekends whereas 45 p.c labored extra hours than earlier than the pandemic because the lockdown measures blurred boundaries between the workplace and residential.
Initially, the 4 day work week was only a trial run at Buffer, however after a number of months and an inside survey, it grew to become a everlasting fixture in 2021. The survey outcomes confirmed that our staff nonetheless felt productive, like that they had extra autonomy, they usually reported feeling happier, too. As somebody who has simply wrapped up 4 months at Buffer, I can also attest to all of those advantages.
What it’s been like working solely 4 days every week
I’ll say, it did take me a couple of weeks to regulate to the schedule change at first. It was unusual when Thursday rolled round and other people would say “have an excellent weekend” in Slack. I stored forgetting that conferences couldn’t be scheduled on Fridays and finish of week deadlines wanted to be met by Thursday. There was even a bit of tension on my half as I puzzled if the work was actually doable in simply 4 days.
However progressively, I grew to become assured that this schedule was truly lifelike. I’ve been ready to slot in all my initiatives, attend all conferences, and I even have time for weekly donut calls (our elective weekly pair calls with one other Buffer teammate). Mentally, figuring out that I solely had 4 working days to complete my duties appeared to spice up my productiveness as properly.
Heather You, a core engineer at Buffer, stated her staff has additionally tailored to the shorter weeks by having good time administration and being intentional with all of their communication.
“We actually study to make use of our time correctly and effectively in order that nobody is predicted to work longer days or on their time off,” she stated. “We attempt to hold our [meetings] to a minimal and work collectively asynchronously after we can.”
This type of flexibility is uncommon to seek out – no less than in my expertise. At present within the U.S., droves of persons are quitting jobs the place they’re undervalued and underpaid, but overworked. I’m so grateful that my expertise in Buffer has been the other of that. In truth, this has been my first job the place I wasn’t anticipated to continuously examine in with my supervisor. In a time when some corporations surveil their employees and tie worker value to output, this type of freedom is kind of liberating. Not solely do I really feel like my work and opinion is valued at Buffer, however so is my time.
How will we spend Friday’s off?
The wonderful thing about having Fridays off is that every one is completely different. Some Fridays I sleep in till 11 am. Different occasions, I schedule any necessary errands or appointments. I’ve additionally handled it as a journey day for shorter journeys so I can maximize my trip time. There have additionally been a few Fridays the place I’ve used the day for overflow work to make sure a clean begin for the subsequent week.
I’m not alone in doing in order it’s truly frequent to make use of Fridays as an additional day to catch up when wanted. I’ve discovered that having an possibility for an overflow day has been so helpful. It supplies extra flexibility in my schedule as a result of if one thing comes up throughout my work week, I do know I can spend a pair hours on Friday to get again on observe.
I’ve been curious how my teammates spend their Fridays as properly, so I spoke with 5 of them to study extra. This is what they needed to say.
Spending time with household
Jordan is an IOS engineer primarily based in Missouri and has been with Buffer for over six years.
As soon as the colleges opened again up in particular person, I used to be so excited as a result of I bought to take [my kids] to high school within the morning [on Fridays]. And it is a bit of slice of life that I’ve by no means finished earlier than as a result of my spouse stays at residence and takes care of all that. So I type of bought to be a keep at residence dad for a day. And it is so helpful as a result of I may give my spouse a break from a few of these duties as a result of being a keep at residence dad or mum is tremendous onerous and busy, and we’ve got three children.
My son is so excited on Fridays. He loves it, as a result of he is aware of I am gonna take him [to school] and I will be within the automotive. So he all the time wakes up with a skip in his step on Friday mornings. After which my youthful two will get to expertise that later, too.
On spending Fridays along with his spouse
We stroll a path on Friday mornings, and simply catch up, , simply take a breather from the week. After which we go to Goal actually each single Friday. I simply get to do all these enjoyable, foolish little issues that you just may take as a right, like taking your children to high school, going to the health club, after which grocery procuring at Goal.
Getting errands finished
Heather is a core engineer primarily based in New York and has been with Buffer for one 12 months.
Having a 4 day work week since becoming a member of Buffer has been completely wonderful. I’m happier and luxuriate in my work greater than ever. The overall ambiance and attitudes of my colleagues are simply so supportive and optimistic, and there’s a lot of belief. I discovered that at Buffer, I’ve much more heads down time than I’ve ever had in earlier roles the place I’ve labored 5 days.
The 4 day workweek additionally supplies quite a lot of flexibility. A shock for me is that I’ve discovered myself getting caught up with most of my annual well being examine ups because it’s loads simpler to schedule an appointment on a weekday fairly than on a weekend.
Plenty of the chores that I had set as much as be finished over a weekend can now be unfold over three days, which truly provides me time to relaxation and mirror. Fridays really feel like bonus days for me, the place I’ve an opportunity to make amends for any work associated or private duties that I couldn’t get to over the week.
I’ve additionally been ready to make use of this time to sit down down and take a course on a brand new language I’d been desirous to study extra about, loosen up and skim a e book, or exit and discover a new interest, after which I’m recharged and able to tackle a brand new week.
An overflow day
Ismail is a product designer primarily based in Morocco and has been with Buffer for 9 months.
The 4 day workweek has a optimistic affect on my work-life stability and well-being. Having a shorter week has helped me give attention to my work and I’m additionally capable of relaxation and restore over the longer weekends. This additionally permits me to spend good high quality time with family and friends.
I did have some doubt initially, however I realized that I used to be capable of be extra productive than what I believed. Prioritizing my duties helped me keep targeted and I used to be truthfully stunned to have the ability to get all of my work finished.
I spend my Friday deliberately – it’s normally a possibility to make docs and different appointments with out taking time away from my job.
For me, having a 4 days work week doesn’t imply that I don’t do something work associated on Fridays. Generally, I take advantage of the day to arrange for the subsequent week and to additionally meet up with the overall information that I missed through the weekdays. It actually helps to higher kick off the subsequent week.
Touring the world
Octa is a senior buyer advocate and has been with Buffer for over 8 years. He doesn’t have a house base as he’s at the moment touring the world full time.
I positively would say that the 4 day workweek has been life altering – maybe essentially the most wonderful factor that has occurred since I joined Buffer. It has lastly introduced that work life stability that each one of us are all the time looking for.
Having that additional day of the week permits your schedule to free as much as attempt new issues. So in my case, the rationale why it has been tremendous wonderful is as a result of it sort of feels like I am having a mini lengthy weekend, , like a trip, each week in whichever place I’m at. It’s helped me to really feel extra productive and happier. There’s not sufficient phrases to outline how unimaginable it has been.
On his distinctive schedule working Fridays by Monday
As a result of I am all the time touring it actually would not matter – Monday to Sunday – it is all the identical. It is barely higher to have my relaxation days in the midst of the week, as a result of by way of points of interest and highlights of whichever place I’m at, they are usually much less crowded on weekdays. So for instance, if I fly, it is all the time cheaper to fly on weekdays than on the weekends.
On his love for touring
I have been touring now full time for eight years. After I first began, I believed I’d do it for 4 years. However then it stored getting higher and higher. I imply, to me, it is a life-style. I am tremendous grateful that the Buffer staff has all the time been tremendous supportive of this.
I simply love the world. Each place I’m going, each particular person I meet, it is like a brand new story.
Fridays develop into “Free-days”
Julia is a senior buyer advocate primarily based in Los Angeles and has been with Buffer for over six years.
I can’t think about going again to not working a 4-day workweek. Since we began experimenting with it over 2 years in the past I’ve used the day off in so many alternative methods – which is the superior factor about it.
I’ve been on schedules with taking Mondays off and Fridays off, and am at the moment on the Fridays-off schedule (since our Advocacy staff has staggered days so we will keep international protection). I’ve discovered my groove by utilizing it as a ‘free’ day, not simply an extension of the weekend. It units me up for a weekend that’s truly restful – not overtaken by errands and “to-do’s”. I like that there’s a free day, if I want it, upon which I can rely to make amends for work. I really feel much less rushed with our mindset of getting the proper issues finished over cramming the identical quantity of stuff right into a shorter week.
Like my coworkers, the 4 day work week has additionally made such a optimistic affect on my total properly being. Not solely do I really feel like my efficiency and output at work has improved, however I even have extra time to reside my life and do the issues that make me happiest.
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