This document discusses the transition of an agency in Berlin to a four-day workweek. It describes how the founder introduced the idea to colleagues through individual meetings over three months. In January 2015, they drafted contract amendments and notified accounting of schedule changes. Most employees opted for the four-day schedule when it launched in February 2015. After 100 days, a survey found 90% enjoyed it while 10% were indifferent. No one has switched back to a five-day week since. The agency has found the four-day week benefits flexibility and quality of life without hurting productivity.

1. Talks and Insights
LEADERSHIP Meetup #5
Four-Day Workweek
by Jan Eppers

2. SI LABS MEETUP
Friday is My Day
Or
FROM THE IDEA TO A 4-DAY WORKWEEK
IN THREE MONTHS
- May 04th, 2016 -

3. • Bild vom verwaisten Büro mit Sonnenschein
am Freitag
BERLIN

4. • Bild vom verwaisten Büro mit Sonnenschein
am Freitag
DRESDEN

6. COULD THIS WORK
LET ALONE AT AN PR AGENCY?!
!
! 16 COLLEAGUES.
# KREUZBERG. DRESDEN. LONDON.
+ PR.
, TECH FOCUS: IT & WEB.
& INTERNATIONAL.
// SOME BRANDS, BUT PREFERABLY START-UPS.

7. WHY I LOVED THE IDEA
FLEXIBILITY BOOSTS QUALITY OF LIFE. SELF CHOSEN FLEXIBILITY! I LIVE IT MYSELF, WHY NOT MY COLLEAGUES?

8. Home office, flexi-time, long lunch breaks, comfortable office chairs,
free fruits & coffee, extra-long vacations are nice, but feel like a gift.
01
Who am I to define everyone‘s best working time? Let the people chose!
02
Yes, there are external considerations, but at
first we‘re an internal company.
03
No, there‘s no 5 days from 09 – 05 law.
04
We‘re all people who care how we spend our time.
05
Honestly, how productive are Friday afternoons? To close at
1pm on Fridays would benefit only me, short-sighted.
06
Vehicle to tie talents and to attract new high-potentials.
07
Self-concept, no temporary hipster stuff.
08
MYREASONS(originaldraft)

9. HOW WE
PREPARED IT
NOV/DEC 2014:
§ Several talks with Scottish agency
§ Search for further examples,
especially in the agency business
§ Draft a specific model for us
§ Introduce the concept to my
colleagues
§ One-on-one talks with each
colleague
§ Check with accounting for formal
stuff
§ Xmas respite to reflect (partners,
families)

10. HOW WE
DID IT
JANUARY 2015:!
!
§ Team introduction to the
concrete 4-day model!
§ 2nd round of personal talks!
§ Draft a 4 lines appendix to
each labor contract!
§ Send accounting a list of
changed work schedules!
è Small step for me, big step !
for a good life.!

11. !
§ Kicked-off in Feb 2015
§ 10/15 started with 4 days
§ Survey after 100 days: 90% loved it, 10% didn‘t care
§ Nobody ever switched back to 5 days
§ Nobody chose to reduce worktime (and salary)
§ Current Status: 12/16 4-days, 2/16 4.5 days, 2/16 5 days
§ Huge interest by media and other agencies
HOW WE
EVALUATED IT

16. Are my colleagues really interested in a 4-days workweek?
Which time models are favored?
May all switch or just some colleagues?
Continuous hopping between 4 and 5-days week possible?
What happens in case of emergencies?
How to survive steady 10-hours workdays?
How can I evaluate the change?
INTERNAL QUESTIONS
(HUGE VARIETY POSSIBLE)!
!
?

17. How to communicate the changes to customers/partners?
Who announces these changes?
What to do if customers don‘t like it?
How
?
EXTERNAL QUESTIONS
(HUGE VARIETY POSSIBLE ALSO)

18. IF CRISES AND PEAKS ARE JUST NORMAL.
IF YOU DEPEND ON FREE EXTRA-HOURS.
IF YOU HAVE WALK-IN CUSTOMERS.
IF YOU‘VE COLLEAGUES WITH YOUNG KIDS
AND NO FAMILY SUPPORT.
NO OTHER EXCUSE!
NOT TO RECOMMEND FOR... !

19. HAVE QUESTIONS
BUT NEED TIME TO THINK FIRST?!
!
email jep@frische-fische.com.
phone 0351.5633 870.
snapchat @jantanplan.
skype @janjaneppers.