Written by Jane Hunt, PR expert, public speaker, and co-founder of JBH – The Digital PR Agency
And while the principle of the 100:80:100 model may seem extremely tempting to the millions hoping to shorten their working week without a reduction in pay, I truly believe that a 4.5 day working week offers the most accommodating and realistic compromise for both business owners and employees alike.
It’s certainly been the perfect fit for my team here at JBH for the past 4 years.
Long before the pandemic began, and when the concept of a four day working week was nothing but a fantasy for most, we decided to implement an agency-wide early finish on Friday as a perk that we knew would be well received across all 30+ full-time members of staff.
I – along with my two business partners – have years of agency experience from previous roles, and we knew only too well how unproductive Friday afternoons could be in a traditional setting.
Many senior staff members are likely to clock off by 3pm anyway, so we thought, ‘why not give all our hard-working employees – as well as ourselves – the opportunity to take a longer break and relax over an extended weekend, then start the next week refreshed and raring to go?’
It’s not hard to see the benefits to our employees of a permanent 4.5 day working week. As well as being able to travel away for long weekends (and avoid the dreaded Friday evening motorway traffic), they can also use those extra 5 hours a week to focus on life admin before making the most of their weekends, enjoy more quality time with their families and young children, or even dedicate the time to pursuing their own hobbies, interests and passions outside of the agency.
But don’t just take my word for it.
Below are just a few comments I’ve gathered from different members of the JBH team explaining how the introduction of our 4.5 day week has benefited their work/life balance over the past four years:
Tom – “I love having half day Fridays to get ahead on life admin, catch up with friends and family and even spend some time to myself and some self care to end a busy week.”
Liam C – “Having the shorter day makes me more motivated to be more productive in the morning, meaning that I can enjoy my weekend properly (and much earlier too). Can make the 4pm bottomless brunches too!”
Lauren W – “Our 4.5 day week gives me extra time to sort out ‘life admin’ e.g. food shopping/cleaning the house/ small DIY jobs etc…so I can relax and fully enjoy the weekend! Also gives me the chance to spend an extra half day with my 3 year old before she starts school later this year.”
Sam W– “I can book appointments outside of work hours, it makes the weekends feel longer, especially if I want to travel home to see my family or friends. I can also go to the gym before it gets really busy, and pamper for the weekend ahead a.k.a (get my fake tan sorted!)“
Meg: “I love Friday afternoons, because I have time to go home and spend extra time with family and friends, and I don’t have to use my annual leave to do so. It also allows me to relax a little bit more so I’m ready to hit the ground running on Monday.”
Laura– “Finishing early on a Friday allows me more time to rest and recuperate over the weekend, helping me feel energized for Monday mornings.”
Tom – “I love having half day Fridays to get ahead on life admin, catch up with friends and family and even spend some time to myself and some self care to end a busy week.”
Liam C – “Having the shorter day makes me more motivated to be more productive in the morning, meaning that I can enjoy my weekend properly (and much earlier too). Can make the 4pm bottomless brunches too!”
Lauren W – “Our 4.5 day week gives me extra time to sort out ‘life admin’ e.g. food shopping/cleaning the house/ small DIY jobs etc…so I can relax and fully enjoy the weekend! Also gives me the chance to spend an extra half day with my 3 year old before she starts school later this year.”
Sam W– “I can book appointments outside of work hours, it makes the weekends feel longer, especially if I want to travel home to see my family or friends. I can also go to the gym before it gets really busy, and pamper for the weekend ahead a.k.a (get my fake tan sorted!)“
Meg: “I love Friday afternoons, because I have time to go home and spend extra time with family and friends, and I don’t have to use my annual leave to do so. It also allows me to relax a little bit more so I’m ready to hit the ground running on Monday.”
Laura– “Finishing early on a Friday allows me more time to rest and recuperate over the weekend, helping me feel energized for Monday mornings.”
Far from compromising the output of the agency, we have in fact found that our half day Friday rule has hugely boosted the productivity, results, and the general mood levels of our staff. All are much more motivated to hit their deadlines and complete any outstanding tasks before clocking off on Friday lunchtimes, and ultimately are much happier in their roles knowing they have a guaranteed 2.5 day weekend, 52 weeks a year.
We’ve certainly noticed that the lure of a 4.5 day working week has helped us to attract and secure better talent when we’ve been recruiting for roles, and as an agency we’ve also found that our clients are much more comfortable with the concept of a 4.5 day routine rather than not being able to contact us for an entire day every week.
Ultimately, we are all too aware in the current climate of the importance of nurturing and supporting our employees’ mental health and general wellbeing, and we take our responsibilities in that area extremely seriously.
Too much focus on work and ‘the grind’ is detrimental to the majority of individuals, especially in an industry as creative as ours, so anything we can do to avoid burnout and negative workplace experiences among our ever-growing team is 100% worth it.
Luckily the 4.5 day week seems to be doing just that!
Jane is a public speaker, PR expert and the co-founder of the award-winning, JBH – The Digital PR Agency in Manchester, UK. With over 10 years experience in content marketing and digital PR, Jane knows how to maximise team performance to consistently deliver results, even in challenging times.
June
19jun18:0021:00Discover How You Can Make a Difference at our eCubed Volunteer Social
19/06/2025 18:00 - 21:00(GMT+00:00)
Arch One
83 Rivington St, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY (the old Cargo)
Whatever your interests or skills, there’s a place for you on our passionate volunteer team. Together, we run inspiring
Join us for a relaxed evening of drinks, nibbles, and conversation with the eCubed team. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what we do, how we do it, and the charities we champion.
Curious about getting involved? This is the perfect chance to throw yourself into the eCubed experience and see if it’s the right fit for you. All you need is a can-do attitude and a passion for creating positive change—everything else is a bonus.
Day : Thursday 19th June, 2025
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location : Arch One, 83 Rivington St, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY (the old Cargo)
Simply register below, let us know any guests you’d like us to bring. We can’t wait to meet you. You’re guaranteed to meet some awesome people and hopefully be inspired to get involved or even share some new ideas – no pressure, no obligation.
26junAll DayThe Brilliance Summit 2025
26/06/2025 All Day(GMT+01:00)
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms
The Edinburgh Suite, 61-65 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5DA
We’re proud to announce our partnership with The Brilliance Summit, an electrifying one-day event for women in leadership
This isn’t just a summit—it’s a movement.
“At The Brilliance Summit, women show up, speak up, and level up. They shake off limitations, own their presence, and lean into their next level.”
Taking place in London on Thursday, 26th June this transformative event is curated for ambitious women who lead, whether that’s in the boardroom, the business world, or within themselves.
Here’s why this matters:
We’ve seen the power of what happens when women are given space to show up fully—and this is that space.
As partners, we’re excited to offer our community a discounted ticket.
Use code WeAreTheCity2025 at checkout to access your exclusive rate.
Grab your ticket now at www.thebrilliancesummit.com
Let this be the moment you stop waiting and start owning your brilliance.
26jun08:0017:00WeAreTech Festival | Hybrid Conference
26/06/2025 08:00 - 17:00(GMT+01:00)
etc.venues, St Paul's,
200 Aldersgate St, Barbican, London, EC1A 4HD
As a hybrid event dedicated to empowering women in technology, our festival continues to break barriers and redefine industry norms. This year promises an even more exhilarating experience as we bring together women from diverse backgrounds and experiences to share knowledge, inspire one another, and create new opportunities for growth and advancement in the tech industry.
The WeAreTech Festival is a beacon of inspiration for women in the tech industry, urging them to confidently stride forward in their careers. Our goal is simple yet profound: to inspire and motivate every attendee to take bold steps towards their professional aspirations.
Throughout the day, you’ll have unparalleled access to the wisdom and insights of senior leaders in the tech field. Engage with thought-provoking discussions through our panels, where you can contribute your perspectives and glean invaluable knowledge from industry experts.
But that’s not all. The afternoon sessions are designed to put you in the driver’s seat of your learning journey. Tailor your experience to your needs and interests, shaping your path towards growth and success in the tech world.
And let’s not forget the added perks of speed networking and mentoring. Connect with like-minded individuals, forge meaningful relationships, and gain invaluable guidance from seasoned professionals who are eager to support your journey.
At the WeAreTech Festival, we believe in empowering women to embrace their potential and seize every opportunity that comes their way. Join us, and let’s embark on this transformative journey together.