Hull-based GB Recruitment has announced it will follow global giants including Microsoft in trialling a four-day working week.
The tech recruitment firm, which recently completed an office move to Hull’s C4DI tech campus, will give staff the chance to drop a working day to spend more time with family and friends.
Microsoft recently completed an experiment at its Japan offices, which found productivity had increased by 40 per cent when moving staff to a four-day working week.
Antonio Tombanane, managing director at GB Recruitment, said: “I was inspired by the results of the Microsoft experiment.
“The traditional workplace is a static concept which doesn’t always promote productivity.
“By introducing four-day weeks we hope to encourage a happier workforce, increase retention within our team and make it easier to recruit.”
GB Recruitment will introduce four-day weeks from January 2020.
Extra days of leave will be offered on a roster basis, from Monday to Friday, allowing the Hull recruitment specialist to deliver the same level of customer service as on a five-day week.
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If successful, GB Recruitment said it would roll-out the four-day week permanently, as it looks to offer “100 per cent pay, 80 per cent hours, and 100 per cent productivity.”
Glen Halliwell, associate director at GB Recruitment, said: “As a recruiter I know full well that attracting the right candidate is all about offering the right package.
“By offering my team additional benefits and a better work life balance it allows me to attract and retain the right people for the business.”
Microsoft Japan said sales had been boosted by almost 40 per cent during an experiment in which staff worked a four-day week on full pay.
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Offices were closed on every Friday of August at the tech giant, and full-time staff were given "special leave", which was paid.
The four-day working model has since been adopted by a host of other businesses, and now GB Recruitment will trial the setup.
It follows the business’ recent move to Hull’s C4DI building.
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GB Recruitment, which turned three in May, has seen revenue soar by 40 per cent, and works with customers including Capita, NFU Mutual and De Beers.
Four-day weeks are the latest addition to the Hull firm’s staff engagement policy.
GB Recruitment also offers staff flexible working hours, quarterly lunch clubs, your birthday off and ‘Beer Fridays.’
GB Recruitment was also the firm behind the successful Tech Expo Humber event.
Held at Hull’s Bonus Arena last month, the event attracted over 2,000 people over a two-day period.
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