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Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Summer Fridays Are Disappearing In The Hybrid Work Era
As hybrid work becomes the norm, the tradition of Summer Fridays is quietly slipping away. Summer Fridays were once the ultimate symbol of progressive office culture, a sign that a company valued work-life balance. Now, this much-loved perk is fading from the American workplace. According to a recent Monster survey, 84% of workers receive no summer-specific benefits. This shift is happening even as flexibility becomes more important than ever for employees. In Cisco's global survey of over 21,000 workers, 63% said they would accept a pay cut in exchange for remote work options. The disappearance of Summer Fridays signals a deeper change in what employees value and what companies are willing to provide. Let's explore how hybrid work has altered the role of workplace perks, what employees want and who really benefits from the new era of flexibility. How Has Hybrid Work Changed Summer Perks? The shift to hybrid and remote work has changed how, when and where work happens. As a result, Summer Fridays have largely lost their impact. INRIX's 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard reveals that fewer people commute on Fridays. Most office attendance is now clustered earlier in the week, according to Cisco's research, which also found that 72% of organizations have some type of return-to-office mandate. Still, Friday is the least popular day to be in the office. Hybrid work allows employees to manage their own time by skipping Friday commutes or adjusting their hours as needed. The "long weekend" spirit of Summer Fridays has been replaced by the year-round flexibility that hybrid work allows. What Do Employees Value And What's Missing? Even as flexibility increases, many employees still crave structured summer perks. Monster's survey found that among those who receive summer benefits, Summer Fridays remain the most valued, ahead of flexible hours and flextime. Over half of workers say these perks improve productivity. However, the majority of employees are not getting any summer-specific perks. Hybrid work often means more general flexibility but less of the collective, company-wide downtime that defined Summer Fridays. The result is a gap between what workers say they want and what companies are offering. This gap matters for retention. Robert Half reports that 76% of workers say flexibility in when and where they work influences their decision to stay with their employer. Nearly half of job seekers prefer hybrid roles, and more than a quarter want fully remote jobs. Flexibility is no longer a bonus. It is a basic expectation and a deciding factor for many when considering job offers. Who Actually Gets Flexibility? Hybrid work isn't distributed equally. Robert Half's analysis shows apparent gaps by industry, geography and seniority. In tech, finance and professional services, more than 30% of new roles in some markets offer hybrid options. In contrast, retail, healthcare and manufacturing often have fewer flexible opportunities. Geographically, states such as Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York lead the way, with 31%, 30% and 29% of new jobs offering hybrid arrangements. Metro areas such as Sacramento, San Francisco and Boston are at the top for hybrid job availability. Seniority matters, too. Senior-level professionals with at least five years of experience see 31% of roles as hybrid and 15% as remote. For entry-level employees, those numbers drop to 18% hybrid and 10% remote. For some, hybrid work has replaced Summer Fridays with more consistent year-round flexibility. For others, especially those early in their careers or in less flexible fields, the loss of a company-wide perk is noticeable. What Are The Costs of Losing Summer Fridays? Hybrid work brings clear benefits, but eliminating summer perks has downsides. Company-wide downtime, like Summer Fridays, offered a communal pause that helped teams recharge. According to Exos, a wellness company that works with employers such as JetBlue and Adobe, employee burnout decreases when organizations offer more flexible Fridays. Their "You Do You Fridays" program led to measurable improvements in well-being. Traditional Summer Fridays also addressed seasonal stress. Monster's research shows that the biggest summer challenges are vacation conflicts, childcare and covering for co-workers. General hybrid work policies don't fully address these issues. Support also matters. Monster's survey found that 42% of workers feel unsupported by their managers when it comes to handling summer scheduling. Hybrid work may provide autonomy, but it does not always address the unique pressures that arise during the summer. Why Is Retention At Risk? Removing Summer Fridays increases the risk that employees will leave for companies that provide more flexibility or better support. Robert Half found that 29% of professionals are looking or planning to look for a new job in the first half of 2025, with flexibility as the top motivator. Many workers are already finding their own ways to manage work-life balance, with or without official perks. Monster reports that 64% of employees feel confident they can maintain a balance during the summer, yet much of this confidence stems from individual effort rather than company policy. Employers who remove Summer Fridays without offering equally robust flexibility are likely to lose out in the competition for talent. How Can You Enjoy Year-Round Flexibility at Work? What should workers focus on as Summer Fridays become a thing of the past? When evaluating job offers, look for year-round flexibility, clear hybrid work policies and supportive management, especially during high-pressure periods. Consider industries and locations where flexible work is the norm. When interviewing, ask about how the company handles seasonal schedules and coverage gaps. Employers should recognize that flexibility is no longer a seasonal perk. If Summer Fridays are disappearing, they must be replaced with policies that offer consistent and meaningful autonomy. Companies that invest in real, structured flexibility will be better positioned to recruit and retain top talent.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
What does Luka Doncic hate about Los Angeles? LeBron James finally got to know one dislike of the Slovenian star's Lakers tenure
The NBA midseason trade of Luka Doncic, from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, was a blockbuster deadline deal that saw Anthony Davis head to Dallas. While the trade surprised many, the Slovenian star quickly settled into his new home. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Doncic's stellar on-court performance was unchanged, but his off-court reflections revealed something quite specific he dislikes about L.A., and even couldn't argue with him. Luka Doncic revealed what he hates most about Los Angeles Ocean views and star-studded crowds can't mask this one L.A. flaw for Luka Doncic. Since landing in Los Angeles, Doncic has become more than just the Lakers' newest face, he's already left a mark. Over 28 regular-season games in purple and gold, he averaged an impressive 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, with sharp shooting splits across the board. In the postseason, he elevated his play even more, putting up 30.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists over five playoff games before the Lakers fell to the Timberwolves in the opening round. The Luka Dončić Interview (Part 1) | LeBron James & Steve Nash | MIND THE GAME Despite that strong showing, it's life off the court that gives Doncic mixed feelings about his new city. During a recent appearance on the Mind the Game podcast, hosted by none other than his Lakers teammate LeBron James and NBA legend Steve Nash, Doncic opened up about the highs and lows of L.A. life. "This is the first city I play in that has an ocean, and I really like the ocean,' Doncic shared, clearly enjoying his proximity to the coast. 'First thing, I mean, after a couple days, that was the first thing on my mind, you know. It's a lot. I like it, I like it very much." But he didn't hold back from highlighting the one thing he absolutely can't stand, of course, it's the nightmare of most people— traffic . 'The only, the only thing is, is the traffic,' he added with a sigh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's a sentiment many Angelenos share and one LeBron James quickly nodded along to. Even amid the headaches of bumper-to-bumper gridlock, with Los Angeles ranked third in the U.S. for hours lost in traffic in 2024, per the Global Traffic Scorecard, Doncic has found silver linings. He added that Lakers games always host famous people in the crowd. That energy, along with the warm beaches, helps balance the frustration. Also Read: Doncic's new NBA journey with the Lakers has just started, and the 26-year-old is looking to come back strong, as he was already seen in the best shape.
Shafaq News
28-01-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Traffic congestion drains Iraq's economy, hampers growth
Shafaq News/ Traffic congestion in Iraq's major cities has become a significant obstacle to economic growth, affecting productivity, increasing costs, and straining infrastructure. Iraq's Strategic Human Rights Center (SHRC) warns that the issue is not only a logistical challenge but a critical economic and environmental concern that demands urgent action. Economic Impact of Congestion According to the center's head, Fadel Al-Gharawi, the persistent traffic jams are reducing worker productivity, with employees spending hours stuck on congested roads instead of contributing to their workplaces. Findings from the 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard reveal that workers in heavily congested cities lose between 100 and 150 hours annually in traffic delays, causing economic losses equivalent to 2-5% of GDP in many countries. The World Bank has also reported that workers facing daily delays of up to an hour experience a 15% decline in productivity. Businesses are equally impacted, with traffic-related delays disrupting supply chains and reducing competitiveness. Economic reports indicate that late deliveries and logistical inefficiencies result in a 10-20% loss in potential business opportunities, further straining the economy. In Iraq, the situation is equally dire. Al-Gharawi estimates that traffic congestion costs the country's economy between $1 billion and $2 billion annually. These losses arise from wasted fuel, increased vehicle maintenance, and time inefficiencies. Environmental and Health Consequences The gridlock on Iraq's roads is not just an economic issue; it also contributes to environmental degradation and public health challenges. Idling vehicles emit higher levels of greenhouse gases, worsening air pollution. Al-Gharawi pointed out that 'prolonged traffic congestion increases respiratory illnesses and raises environmental costs.' Studies by the United Nations confirm that areas with heavy congestion report a 30% higher prevalence of respiratory diseases compared to less crowded regions. In Iraq, where residents in some areas spend over three hours daily in traffic, transportation costs have risen by 40%, placing additional financial pressure on households. Current Efforts and Needed Reforms The Iraqi government has taken steps to address the issue by building bridges, and tunnels, and expanding key roads. However, Al-Gharawi emphasized that these efforts need to be part of a broader, strategic approach to make a significant impact. He suggested several measures to alleviate congestion, including 'phasing out older vehicles, constructing ring roads around cities, and building highways that meet international standards to improve connectivity between provinces.' Additionally, he stressed the importance of investing in sustainable public transportation to reduce reliance on private cars. 'Smart traffic management systems and improved public transit infrastructure are essential to easing congestion and mitigating its effects on the economy and environment,' Al-Gharawi said. A Hidden Cost to GDP Transportation inefficiencies tied to traffic congestion currently consume an estimated 1.5% of Iraq's GDP, according to the World Bank. This financial burden highlights, according to Al-Gharawi, the urgent need for coordinated action to modernize infrastructure and adopt sustainable policies. 'The delays caused by congestion also disrupt economic productivity across various sectors, from manufacturing to logistics…The inefficiencies are compounding over time, making it clear that addressing traffic is no longer just about convenience—it's about economic survival,' he stated. 'Addressing traffic congestion is critical to Iraq's future. It's not just about easing daily commutes—it's about securing a sustainable path for economic growth and environmental stability.' He concluded.
