Case study: A four day week with Zync Digital

At Zync Digital they do things differently. From a four day week to only working with credit unions and social enterprises, they’ve got it going on. A team of expert digital marketers, they specialise in social media management and content strategy, PPC campaigns and dynamic website builds. Ultimately if you want to find out what’s happening in the ethical business sector, Zync Digital should be your first port of call.

Offering its staff a permanent four-day week, with a reduction of hours and no loss of pay, Zync Digital has earned its stripes as a Gold Standard employer with our friends at the 4 Day Week Campaign. We spoke to Managing Director, Anthony Bennett, to find out how a four day week works for Zync Digital. Read on to find out more.

Employer’s view of a four day week at Zync digital

Q: What were the deciding factors in becoming a four day week company?

A: As a social enterprise, it’s important that we’re doing everything we can to make sure our employees are happy. A 4 day week’s always going to be an attraction in recruitment too – and I think it makes us stand out from the crowd. I’m also a big believer in weekend being 3 days long. 1 day for laundry, 1 day to do something, and 1 day to do nothing.

Q: What do you think are the main benefits of a four day week to your staff?

A: Staff love having an extra day off. Whether it’s to pursue other hobbies, gain extra revenue, or just general life admin.

Q: What have been the benefits of operating a four day week to the company?

A: If our workforce are happy, then it means lower turnover, higher productivity and better morale. All of which adds to a more efficient workplace.

Q: Has a four day week helped the company become greener and more energy efficient?

A: I think so – we come into the office only twice a week so in that sense, definitely.

Q: What is the structure of your four day week?

A: We work from home on Mondays and Tuesdays. Then we all come into the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Friday being our weekly day off.

Q: Given your experience in making this happen, is there any specific advice you would give to other companies also considering the viability of moving to a 4 day week?

A: Go for it! It might be hard at first but the long-term effects will always be worth it

What do the employees think?

In terms of how the staff feel about working a four day week at Zync Digital, it’s fair to say they’re pretty pleased. We were lucky enough to speak with Pooja Morjaria, Account Manager at Zync Digital, to see how a four day work week has impacted her life.

Q: What’s the best thing about working for a four day week company?

A: The best part about working a four-day week is it allows me to juggle multiple things in my life without ever feeling ‘burnt out’. Life can get really busy, so having that extra day off to tend to other things. For example, life admin, some relaxation or upskilling myself,  really helps me manage my time and overall improve my quality of life. I think another thing that often gets overlooked is the value I place on my employer. A lot of employers always spew the rhetoric of caring for their employee’s mental health and general well-being without anything actually in place to help. Having an employer that truly demonstrates they care really makes us all feel closer as a team and have a more positive attitude when coming into work.

Q: How does working four days a week effect your productivity/ time management?

A: A lot of people always ask me how I manage to fit all my work into 4-days. Knowing that I have the Friday off really helps to motivate me to be as productive and focused as possible during the four days. Some weeks are definitely busier than other but setting time for focused ‘sprints’ really helps me, and if anything I’ve become a lot more organised! If I’m being completely honest, if I had that extra day I’d probably find ways to procrastinate and spread the tasks to cover that Friday.

Q: How do you spend your extra day-off?

A: With my extra day off, I usually spend my time doing a mix of things. I can get all the life admin out the way like doing my washing, cleaning and fitting in a gym session. However, I also get time to dedicate to side hustles that I’m just as passionate about. Having this time to explore other passions really helps me become all-rounded in the work that I do day-to-day as well!

Q: Have you noticed any mental health or physical health benefits to working a four day week?

A: I would definitely say it’s improved my mental health a lot. I almost like to think of my Friday as a ‘me’ day. I get to spend the whole day focused on me, my passions and generally what I want to do. Whilst some days can seem productive, other days might literally just be a day to catch up on sleep and self-pampering. Life shouldn’t just always be about working and having a four-day week really helps to balance it all out in a healthy way.

Q: How do people respond when you tell them you work a four day week?

Everyone is always so shocked when I tell them I work a 4-day week. I do find the funniest responses always come from slightly older members of the family who consider it a ‘trendy, Gen Z’ thing, but I guess that’s just because it breaks away from tradition – in a good way! When it comes to my peers, they always mention how much of a struggle it is to find a good work-life balance and make comments wishing that their employer had a four-day week too!

Q: Would you ever go back to a five day week job?

A: Now that I’ve gotten used to it, and seen all the benefits it has to offer, I think it’d be really difficult to go back to a five-day week job. I guess there’s no turning back now.

If you love the idea of a 4 day week and want to broach the possibility of trialling it with your company, check out our blog on how to ask your employer for a 4 day work week.