PwC extends summer working hours as staff hail positive effects on wellbeing

From 1 June to the end of August, PwC’s people will be able to condense their working week to finish at lunchtime on Fridays. So-called summer working hours were piloted by the firm in July and August 2021 as part of its hybrid working policy.  The approach is being extended this year to include the month of June.

Following the pilot last year, a survey of PwC staff year with more than 6,000 respondents showed:

• Over 90% of respondents thought the policy of summer working hours was a good idea

• 73% said it positively impacted their general wellbeing to a great extent

• 93% said it positively impacted their day-to-day working experience throughout July and August

• Spending more time with family and friends (74%) and focussing on personal wellbeing (71%) were the two greatest benefits

Kevin Ellis, chairman and senior partner at PwC UK said:

“We knew summer working hours would be popular with our people, but the positive impact on wellbeing surpassed expectations. Not everyone could take every Friday, but they benefited from less email traffic when they did and a chance to switch off properly.   

“We’ve had another exceptionally busy year and as we approach the summer holiday period, we hope our policy gives people more time for themselves, their friends and their families.”

Summer Working Hours form part of ‘The Deal’, PwC’s approach to hybrid working, which was introduced in spring 2021.  Since then, PwC has introduced flexible bank holidays, effective from 1 October 2021. This policy gives people freedom to take up to two bank holidays at a time that suits them.