Why We Switched to a 4-Day Work Week
4 day weeks in the charity video production space.
Big changes have happened at our little charity video production company. You’ll probably have noticed if you’ve emailed us on a Friday lately! We’ve shaken things up with our work schedule, and we’re excited to share how this has transformed our workplace and personal lives. Last year, we made the leap to a 4-day work week, and honestly, it’s been a game changer for us. It’s something that we love shouting about. As it’s mental health week 2024, we thought there couldn’t be better time to talk about it.
Here’s the scoop on our new schedule:
Fueled by coffee/tea/an overwhelming passion for charity video production we’re now powering through Monday to Thursday, from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Yep, that means Fridays are ours to own—whether that’s diving into hobbies, spending time with family, or just catching up on some well-deserved rest.
So, what’s the verdict?
Let us tell you, the impact has been nothing short of amazing and we noticed an instant difference. We’ve found that having three-day weekends isn’t just a cool perk—it actually makes us more focused and energetic when we are at work. Plus, everyone seems happier and less stressed, which is a big win in our books!
Why this rocks for our creativity:
Working in charity video production, we need to keep our creative juices flowing. The stakes are really high in non-profit storytelling and we feel the weight of needing to make films that help charities to make a difference. This new rhythm allows us to come back each week fully recharged and brimming with ideas. It’s like hitting a mini-reset button at the end of every week!
Why it’s a big deal for our people:
It turns out that everyone is a human at NOTW – Even Craig. That means we all have things that we want to do outside of work and we also need rest. What we do takes a lot of energy, and now we have more than ever to work collaboratively on projects for our lovely clients. It also means that we experience more of the world, and those experiences feed into who we are as creatives.
It’s basically the feeling of a bank a holiday weekend but every week. I get an extra day on the weekend to spend time with my family, and Monday to Thursday are more productive and high energy than ever. In short: 4 day weeks are wicked and everyone should do it.
Tom Hinkley – Head of Client Services at Neck of the Woods Films.
Reflecting on the change:
Since we made the switch, it’s clear we’re not just doing better work; we’re enjoying it more too. Our projects are humming along, and the vibes in the (virtual) office are more upbeat and collaborative than ever. It feels like we’ve struck the perfect balance between work and rest.
Looking ahead:
We’re sticking with this schedule for the foreseeable future because, quite frankly, it’s the best. We’re all about making films that matter, and now we’re doing it in a way that also makes our lives better. It’s a win-win.
What does it mean for our clients?
Well. nothing really. The relationship doesn’t change one bit, it just means that we won’t be around for one day a week. Don’t worry, if you send us an email on a Friday it doesn’t go into a void, we’ll just pick it up on Monday instead. For those of you who love sending an email just after work has finished, it means you have a little bit of bonus NOTW time for 4 days a week.
Wanna find out more?
Well, you can! Cambridge university did some super interesting research on the topic, so you don’t have to take our word for it. Take a look!
And finally…
Thanks for understanding that we’ve made this change for the right reasons and being part of our community. Whether you’re a fellow filmmaker, a charity we’ve partnered with, or someone who loves a good story, we’re glad you’re with us. Here’s to making films that make a difference and enjoying the journey, every four-day week at a time!
Cheers to filmmaking and more!
The Neck of the Woods Team
