Facades Firm Trials Four Day Working Week

CONDENSING its working hours, BTS Facades and Fabrications has taken the next step towards embracing a four day working week.

The Newton Aycliffe based manufacturing business, which supplies facade and rainscreen products nationally, recently moved from a 40-hour working week to a 37-hour working week, without its employees’ pay being affected.

The new working pattern took six months to plan and implement, after the initiative was first suggested by staff as a way to improve employee satisfaction.

Michael Butterworth, BTS Project Coordinator, said: “It’s just good for the work-life balance. It’s ideal if you’d like to go away for the weekend as we’re able to leave early on the Friday. The whole team are feeling really positive, and we can’t wait to see more flexibility in the future.”

Four Day Working Week

The new contracted hours mean BTS Facades and Fabrications’ office staff can leave at 1pm on Fridays, due to the company’s flexible working policy. Meanwhile, the operational departments’ reduced hours will be factored in on a rota basis.

Nigel Freeman, BTS’ Operations Director, is evaluating the impact on productivity.

He said: “If the new working pattern proves to be a success and not hinder the productivity of each team, and all targets are met, it will prove we can move towards an 8-day fortnight.

“We’re already working on productivity improvements for each department and making steps to take out non-value added activity within the organisation using project management styles like the LEAN principles.”

Phil Atkinson, BTS’ Managing Director, says he wants to do what he can to make his company an attractive place to work, and wants existing staff to enjoy being there.

Philip Atkinson, MD of BTS (left) and Michael Butterworth, Project Coordinator

He said, “If you look after your staff, they’ll look after you. I have a lot of faith that this new working pattern will see great success based on how hard my team works, along with studies about increased productivity in a shorter week.

“I would love to think that we’re leading the way for the North East in becoming a modern business that puts its staff first.”

The trial will be evaluated at the end of this year, and senior members of the team will decide how to move further towards the shorter working week.

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