Studies have shown that an increasing number of Americans are no longer interested in working on Fridays. This trend, which may be a result of the work-from-home arrangements during the pandemic or the rise of hybrid work schedules, is evident in the significantly reduced traffic during rush hour on Fridays compared to other weekdays. Employers who previously introduced incentives like casual Fridays or food-related perks to make the end of the week more appealing are finding that their employees simply do not want to be at work on Fridays anymore.
Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Public Health recently conducted a study on Friday work habits and found that productivity on that day decreases significantly, whether employees are working in the office or remotely. Mark Benden, one of the study’s authors and a professor of environmental and occupational health at Texas A&M, suggests that employers should consider whether they are truly benefiting from employees’ presence on Fridays. He proposes that it might be more beneficial for employees to take the afternoon off to run errands with their families, rather than being physically present but less productive.
However, some companies are taking a different approach and putting an end to the Friday flex trend. United Parcel Service Inc., JP Morgan Chase & Co., and Deutsche Bank AG have banned their staff from working from home on Fridays and the following Monday. Cyndi Gave, an employee behavioral expert and owner of The Metiss Group, explains that some employers rely on strict time measurements because they struggle to find other ways to assess employees’ contributions. The unpredictability of work-from-home arrangements during the pandemic led many employees to adopt a tactical mindset focused on completing immediate tasks rather than long-term goals.
This decrease in working hours is not limited to Fridays alone. According to a report by workforce analytics company ActivTrak, the average daily time spent working dropped 15 percent, or 47 minutes, between the first quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2023. The average worker now signs off at 4:03 p.m. However, on Fridays, workers tend to start their day earlier, suggesting that they are eager to finish their work and begin their weekend.
Research conducted by ClassPass, a subscription app for gym, salon, and spa access, found that Fridays are the most popular day of the week for scheduling wellness and beauty services. Additionally, a study by payment platform Square revealed that Friday lunchtimes have been replaced by the more popular Saturday brunch. Employees are also finding creative ways to take time off, such as the practice known as “coffee badging,” where workers show up to the office for a few hours in the morning and then leave in the afternoon. This behavior raises concerns about workplace efficiency and productivity.
Despite these concerns, Professor Braden and his Texas A&M study suggest that in a healthy job market, the new generation of workers will expect companies to offer more flexibility and time off as part of their benefits package. Companies will need to adapt to attract the best and brightest candidates in this competitive landscape. The preferences of job candidates regarding remote work and flexible options will undoubtedly influence their decisions when considering potential employers.
The changing attitudes towards working on Fridays reflect a shift in work culture and the evolving expectations of employees. As more companies adopt hybrid work models or embrace remote work, it is crucial for employers to find new ways to measure productivity and ensure that employees are contributing effectively to the organization. Balancing employee preferences and organizational goals will be essential for companies seeking to attract and retain top talent in the future.
