A recruitment company that introduced an incentive allowing staff to work a shorter working week if they hit targets claims the move has boosted revenues.
ISL Recruitment, which is headquartered in Bristol, introduced the four-and-a-half day week initiative three months ago.
The incentive means that if staff hit their targets they are able to finish at midday on Fridays.
The company says that since it has made the change, the business has seen a rise in revenues of 41 per cent.
Alan Furley, director of ISL, said: “It was a bit of a shock how successful the incentive was.
"I think it’s worked so well because it’s a clear short-term goal, which we can collaborate on achieving and was agreed across the office.
“It’s been set at the sweet spot between stretch and achievable, typically 150 per cent of budget.
"People know they can do something better on Tuesday and see the reward three days later, rather than just in their pay check in three months.”
The ISL team, which consists of around 30 people, has hit the target five weeks out of the 12. The company has also seen a 38 per cent rise in clients' hiring.
"The incentive created urgency across the board, people presented alternative options and picked up the phone to discuss candidates rather than send emails in hope," explained Alan.
The staff are using the time in various ways, including going golfing, for walks, picking children up from school and sleeping.
“The atmosphere in the office seems much more positive," he added. "There is constant talk about what each other has going on, with greater appetite to help each other. It’s encouraged risk taking and innovation."
