This is a media release that was kindly published by a few local media publications back in June 2021

In May 2020, Redback made the leap to a 4 day work week. With COVID-19 forcing companies across the world to rethink their operations, this Newcastle-based digital agency decided it was time to test a brave new working model.

Now, almost one year on from implementing their ‘No Work Wednesday’ policy, MD Dave Eddy can confirm they made the right move. To help you determine whether this structure could benefit your business too, Redback has shared its key takeaways 12 months in.

The positive impact of a ‘No Work Wednesdays’ policy

It’s safe to say that Redback has seen clear improvements in productivity – about 23% since last year, a large portion of which they attribute to the 4-day work week.

With longer working days, their team has the opportunity to sink their teeth into larger chunks of work. And thanks to that mid-week break, brains remain fresh and focused when Friday comes around. This increase in efficiency has happened at a particularly good time for Redback, too, with a growing volume of digital project work on the go, ranging from small business marketing strategies, to large university websites and government projects.

The agency has also seen a 31% increase in Revenue since implementing the No Work Wednesdays model – a pretty strong feat for a 22-year-old business navigating the pandemic (they plan to celebrate with a sleek new office space in June!).

It’s not all about work, though. This model has brought a major bonus away from the desk.

Each wonderful Wednesday, Redback employees get to take care of life admin and in turn dedicate their weekends to pure leisure.

As well as funner Saturdays and Sundays, that additional day off means more headspace for personal lives – arguably the most valuable outcome.

All benefits considered, it’s no surprise No Work Wednesdays have been a big draw card for many job candidates this year, playing a key role in Redback becoming an employer of choice in Newcastle.

Considerations for other companies

While it has heaps of advantages, a condensed working week isn’t a winning model for every business. For instance, with a full 37.5 weekly hours compacted into four days, it’s important to consider the issue of overtime in an already extended work day.

Thankfully, Redback doesn’t need to wrangle in too much overtime, as the team have always managed their workloads well. That said, this potential problem could be a deciding factor for companies that frequently face extra hours.

Additionally, if your team members require varied, more flexible hours, then you might need to rethink adopting this approach. As the name suggests, a ‘No Work Wednesdays’ policy rests in working approximately 9.5 hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. While you can tailor this structure to your employees’ needs, it seems to work best when everyone’s on the same schedule!

Last but not least, client-facing companies should consider what’s best for the people they support. While Redback has made sure there’s no disruption to their clients on Wednesdays, this may be more challenging for businesses that are required to provide a full level of service every day.

The final verdict

Team happiness rating: 9.2/10
Increase in productivity: 23%
Boost in revenue: 31%
Rise in no. of Redbackers: 15% 

When it comes to ‘No Work Wednesdays’, there’s no going back for Redback. With productivity and morale levels both on the rise since it’s implementation, there’s no doubt that this structure has been a success!

But before your business follows suit, make sure a condensed working week is the right fit for your people.