Dear HR Manager from Interested in Soft Fridays
Dear HR Manager,
My team is thinking about starting Soft Fridays to boost well-being and productivity. Do you have any tips to roll this out?
– Interested in Soft Fridays
Dear Interested in Soft Fridays,
“Soft Fridays” sounds like a great idea. Giving employees the flexibility to choose how they work on Fridays can reduce stress and burnout and improve job satisfaction. Here’s how you can effectively introduce this concept to your team.
Set Clear Boundaries
Document and communicate expectations and boundaries to help maximize the benefits of this initiative. Team members need to be transparent about their availability on Soft Fridays and the possible impact on project timelines and deadlines.
Create a Flexible Culture
Promote a culture that values flexibility and well-being. Encourage employees to use their flexible Fridays without fear of judgment. Managers should also participate in Soft Fridays to set a good example and show the organization’s commitment to employee well-being.
Provide Autonomy
Let employees decide how they spend their Fridays. Whether it’s working from home, starting later, or having no meetings, giving them control over their schedule can really boost morale and productivity.
Implementing Soft Fridays can make a big difference in work-life balance, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. It’s a small change, but it can have a significant impact.
Best of luck introducing this increasingly popular employee benefit!
– HR Manager
Originally featured in UBA’s July 2024 HR Elements Newsletter.
