Companies that take advantage of intensive working hours in the months of June to September obtain obvious advantages that almost always have a positive impact on their accounts.
There are only a few days left until the start of summer, no matter how much the weather is out of step with the calendar. Many companies have already started working continuously, in some cases for reasons of agreement, and in others due to an updated vision of the importance of human resources.
In cases in which the schedule is part of an agreement with the worker from the beginning, it is usual to establish periods of the year in which the working day is slightly extended, in order to allow it to be reduced during the summer period. If during 9 months the staff completes 20 extra minutes of effective work, the accounts allow them to reduce one hour a day during the remaining three. Hence, an intensive schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. is common between the months of June to August, both included, or from July to September. The specific agreements and shifts may vary, of course, in each case.
In other situations, where there is no specific agreement or pact, many companies, of their own accord, offer their workers to replace the split shift with a continuous schedule, and usually in advance. In this way, to give an example, someone who usually works from 9:00 to 18:00 or from 10:00 to 19:00, with an hour in between to eat, can replace their schedule with 7:00 to 15:00, or 8:00 to 16:00.
Both decisions have mediatable benefits for the employing company, which could be summarized as follows:
1. Family reconciliation
In the months of June and September, most early childhood education centers and schools reduce their hours, so that children leave class several hours earlier than the rest of the course. In addition, the summer camps, which we can use in the months of July and August, also have morning hours.
When workers must adjust to long hours, they are often forced to juggle their lunch stop with school pickup. In addition, they must have someone to take care of the little ones in the remaining hours, which translates into stress, poor concentration and discouragement at the very least. All this, of course, to the detriment of labor effectiveness.
2. Increased productivity
Working concentrated for a certain period of time, without major interruptions, makes it easier to improve the effectiveness of the time invested. Stopping to eat and then returning to your post supposes not only an interruption in rhythm, but also a drop in performance. Returning with a full stomach and after many hours of activity can cause drowsiness and lack of concentration. Much more at a time of year when the temperature modifies our energy.
To this certainty we must add the motivation that it means for most employees to have the afternoon free to share with their loved ones or to carry out leisure activities. A motivated person works harder and better.
3. Reduction of work absenteeism
Resting a sufficient number of hours, eating at home and thus avoiding ultra-processed foods, or having time to practice sports translates into a better state of health. That is why the continuous schedule, and much more the intensive working day, facilitate an improvement in the physical and mental well-being of the employees.
The better health, obviously, the less need to request sick leave or sick days, which have an effect on business profits, meeting delivery deadlines or production volume.
4. Economic savings
Every hour that employees spend at home and not at work is an hour that the employer does not pay for electricity and air conditioning, among many other expenses.
Workers also benefit financially, as they reduce the number of journeys with their vehicle or on public transport, they are not forced to eat out, drink coffee… And, in the case of having children, they save on day care or in extracurricular.