Sleeping in. Medical appointments. Art classes. Life admin. Playing with kids. Long weekends up the coast. Shopping. A day just for me.
These are some of the things the staff at architecture firm Sam Crawford Architects (SCA) have appreciated since a nine-day fortnight was introduced about 15 months ago.
Director Sam Crawford said the main benefit had been staff wellbeing.
Crawford said: “I think that everyone is a little happier – happy people collaborate more; happy people get things done; happy people rise to a challenge.
“We named our day off ‘Mies Day’ after Mies van der Rohe, of ‘less is more’ fame.
“I had read about the four-day week being trialled in many organisations in Europe – the idea resonated with me at a particular moment.
“Architecture, or any work that you put your heart and soul into, can take its toll on your health, your sense of personhood.
“Sometimes you can lose your self just keeping up with your commitments to work, family, and friends, maintaining a home etc.
“I felt that a nine-day fortnight would be the right balance and suit our method of working and collaborating, better than a four-day week.
“Our full time staff now work nine days per fortnight instead of ten, with no drop in pay.
“We all take the same second Friday off together, which makes it easier for staff to actually take the day off.
“We haven’t looked back.”
The day off has proven important for life admin and rest, plus creative pursuits.
According to one SCA architect: “It gives you enough time to properly breathe and reset; the biggest benefit is the mental relief.
“It allows me to properly check out of work, enjoy the weekend, get those errands done!”
Another architect said they love the extra time to feel inspired and pick up a paintbrush or their camera.
They added: “Having the time to indulge in other art forms keeps me creative.”
Are staff tempted to work on their Mies’ day?
Crawford explained there were times when staff worked on the Mies Day, but feedback showed they felt it was still beneficial because there were no meetings scheduled or expectations – it was viewed as a ‘flexible day’, and they could make that choice themselves.
Crawford continued: “Of course every industry has unique challenges – for us it was client contact and deadlines.
“Our clients have adjusted to it well; public and commercial clients are used to the idea of a flexi day.
“Covid has taught private clients about flexible work arrangements.
“We all have mobiles and can always be contacted if there’s something really urgent.”
The transition was very smooth, with a six month trial allowing a decent amount of time before making a decision on whether or not to continue.
This allowed an assessment of any major issues and fine tuning of the program if needed.
Wellbeing surveys of staff were undertaken via an anonymous online assessment.
The response was overwhelmingly positive: 100% of staff agreed/strongly agreed that they felt less stressed working a nine-day fortnight, while 92% of staff agreed/strongly agreed they were able to manage their workload.
Crawford added: “Our profitability has not been affected by the change and staff indicate their productivity levels have improved.”
One staff member said: “I am definitely more productive at work in the nine-day fortnight.
“Knowing I can balance work and personal life is great – less hourss, more productive!”
In job interviews the nine-day fortnight has proven to be a very attractive to applicants at SCA.
As Crawford observed: “Who can argue with having an extra month a year off work with no drop in salary?”