Working in construction has a reputation for long hours – but one business is trying to do something about that by giving staff extra time off.
Bosses at JMS Engineers give their staff every other Friday off, they say to take the pressure off and help their employees enjoy their work more.
The business, which has offices in Meadow Lane, Loughborough, and Oxford Street, Leicester, started trialling the idea of the extra, fully paid, days off at the start of the year.
They said it had proved so successful that they have decided to keep it running.
It comes after MNE Accounting, in Upper Brown Street, Leicester city centre, announced it was trying to shake up the traditional conservative image of their profession by giving staff an afternoon off each week – with no effect on their salary.
MNE managing director Tim Emmony said at the time: “In some ways this is a ‘thank you’ for their hard work."
The 50-strong team at construction engineers JMS works on anything from new homes to theatre renovations, office buildings, roads and surveys of aggregate sites.
The business recently bought out structural and civil engineering consultancy Abacus Design Associates, in Loughborough.
Andrew Kenyon, a JMS director, said keeping their workforce “motivated, happy and capable” was just as important to them as ensuring the work they did was of the best possible quality.
And he said the longer weekend offer had gone down a storm, with staff getting just as much done during their working hours as they did before.
Andrew said: “It’s no secret that the construction industry has a culture of long working hours and constant high-pressure targets to be met, so it’s refreshing to see JMS bucking the trend by scaling back working hours.
“At the start of 2019 we trialled a scheme where every employee within the JMS group received an extra 25 fully paid days off, to be taken every second Friday throughout the year.
“Unsurprisingly, these regular three-day weekends have gone down so well that the trial period has been extended indefinitely.
“Believe it or not, the effective 10 per cent drop in hours worked that the free Friday initiative has brought hasn’t had an effect on JMS’s productivity.”
Group managing director Daniel Staines said: “When the proposal was put forward to the board, it had unanimous approval.
“The staff at JMS work hard when they are here but we recognise that they need to be able to enjoy life outside work as well.
“We’ve seen a phenomenal increase in growth and turnover these last few years. That’s thanks to the hard work of my team.
“Now I want to make sure they’re getting the most out of their work/life balance.
“A three-day weekend gives them a chance to properly wind down, enjoy the weekend and come back on the Monday refreshed. It is a benefit to everyone – including our clients.
“If anything, it’s increased our productivity.
“Because our people know that we value their time, and are prepared to reward them with more free time, they come to work rested, and ready to really give it their all.
“It’s about working smarter, not harder.
“When we took over a new consultancy recently, the staff couldn’t believe it when we told them our new policy.
“It’s been very well received, and it’s nice to know we’re helping our staff avoid the stress and pressure that this industry is known for.”
