KELLOGG’S today urged businesses to follow its lead and boost staff motivation by giving workers Friday afternoons off*.
Research shows 40 % of British workers will call in sick during the summer rather than book a holiday to enjoy a day in the sun with family and friends, with the unauthorised Friday afternoon “sickie” costing businesses more than £50bn a year**.
Kellogg’s, which is giving its 660 UK office employees every Friday afternoon off during the summer months, says more time off during the current climate will boost productivity and help prevent the “summer sickie”.
The Summer hours scheme at Kellogg’s, now in its sixth year, runs from May to September and means everyone finishes work at 12pm on a Friday provided they have completed a full week’s hours. *
Starting this Friday staff at the Manchester-based food giant, which was named in this year’s Sunday Times Best Companies list, can use the authorised time off to enjoy long weekends, pursue hobbies and enjoy extra family time.
A Kellogg’s employee survey in 2008 revealed the scheme helped with motivation as 82 per cent of employees felt happier in their jobs because of it.
Karen Meehan, Kellogg’s European HR vice president, said: “Summer Hours is a great scheme that all of our employees can benefit from. We recognise that many businesses suffer due to unauthorised summer sickness absence and due to our flexible working policy this is something that we don’t have to worry about.
Research has shown that a healthy work life balance is increasingly a key factor in improving motivation levels and employee satisfaction amongst today’s workforce. Flexible working is something we take very seriously at Kellogg’s and this is part of a package that we offer to ensure that we provide work life balance opportunities to all employees. ”
Case Study
Chris Scott, Accountant in the Kellogg’s European Financial Services Centre, said: “My colleagues and I use Summer Hours to get together and play golf. It gives us an opportunity to relax and catch up outside of work, improve our swing and make the most of the warmer weather.”
Case Study
Paul Carney, Kellogg’s IT Infrastructure Team Leader; said: “Summer hours helps me spend more time with my family. My wife is a full-time mum to two children and Friday afternoons off mean I can go home and give her a break, share the load a bit more and spend quality time with my daughters.”
Ends –
For further information contact:
Louise Davies / Alison Last
Kellogg’s
0161 869 5500
Notes to Editor:
* Employees must have completed a full week’s hours by 12pm on Friday in order to benefit from summer hours.
** Source Harris Interactive and Employersafe 2008
About Kellogg’s flexible working scheme
Kellogg’s offers employees a range of choices to create an individual work life balance that works for them. These include part-time working, flexible working hours for all employees, summer hours, career breaks, home working and a flexible benefits scheme.
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