What are summer hours, and which companies offer them?
In this blog, we explore what summer hours mean, why they’re becoming such a popular workplace benefit, and share companies that offer summer hours to give employees more flexibility and balance during the warmer months.
By Luisa Callander
Head of Marketing at Flexa
5th Aug 2025
• 5 minutes
What are summer hours?
Summer hours, also known as summer Fridays or flexible summer schedules, are workplace policies that reduce working hours during the summer months. This might mean finishing early on Fridays, working a four-day week, or having extra time off to enjoy the summer. Summer hours can vary at different companies: this might mean a 4-day or 4.5-day working week, shorter days, or another variation on flexible hours during the summer season.
This blog will cover:
- What summer hours are and how they work
- Why more companies are adopting summer hours policies
- The benefits of summer hours for employees and employers
- Examples of companies offering flexible summer schedules
- How to find jobs at companies with summer hours
What are the benefits of summer hours?
When summer rolls around, employees can feel like they are missing out when they have to spend most of their time indoors. And if they are working parents or caregivers, too, they could find themselves presented with a childcare nightmare when it comes to the school summer holidays. Summer hours are one way that some companies are choosing to help their employees balance work and life: so what are the benefits?
Happier employees
The sun makes us happier - it's a scientific fact. Having more flexibility around working hours means that employees have more time to get out and enjoy the sunshine while it's here, boosting mood and improving morale when they're back at their desks. And for us in the UK, we know that we can’t take the good weather for granted - so you've got to make the most of it while you can!
Higher productivity levels
It's official: happier employees are more productive employees. At the end of 2023, Harvard Business Review reported on new research from Oxford University, which found a causal link between happy employees and a 13% increase in productivity. So implementing feel-good benefits like summer hours doesn't just make sense for company morale, but for the bottom line, too.
Improved work-life blend
Summer hours empower employees to have a better work-life blend in what is often a very busy season. Companies with summer hours are signalling to their employees that their lives don't have to revolve solely around work: they can balance work with life commitments, too. Workers often reward this kind of realistic attitude from employers with increased respect and company loyalty.
Improve health and mental wellbeing
Through sun exposure, the hormone serotonin is released - providing mood-lifting benefits that can be really beneficial when it comes to mental health. Not only can the sun help with mental wellbeing from depression and anxiety, it can also help alleviate skin and other health conditions. What's not to like?
Greater flexibility
Offering greater flexibility, particularly for those who are working parents, summer hours are a game-changer. It means more time can be spent with the children, and more precious memories can be made whilst they are off from school over the summer months. For others, it could mean more time spent with friends, travelling or being outdoors.
What companies offer summer hours?
Many of our Flexa-verified companies offer summer hours to their employees: here are just a few of them.
Hurree: Hurree is the smarter, simpler way to analyse your data. They’re not just a software company, but the heart of your data ecosystem
tms: tms unites technology and marketing and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world’s leading brands.
Unmind: Unmind is the leading workplace wellbeing platform, on a mission to create mentally healthy workplaces where employees can flourish.
Figures: Created in October 2020 by Virgile & Bastien, Figures is Europe's leading compensation management platform, helping companies to make fair and efficient salary decisions.
Simitive: Founded in 2012, Simitive works exclusively with universities to enable data informed decision-making through the planning, management, modelling and analysis of workforce and activities.
Picnic: Picnic, The Leading Quality Media Platform, delivers ad experiences which prioritise and respect the needs of the user.
Collins Property Recruitment : Collins Property Recruitment was founded in 2014 and now has a hard-earned reputation as the go-to recruiter for the property sector.
Tomorrow Group: Tomorrow is an independent agency network, with brands dedicated to performance, social engagement, analytics, and transformative AI.
Crest: Crest is one of the UK's leading boutique PR agencies. They create bespoke PR and marketing strategies for start-ups, scale-ups & VCs.
FAQs about summer hours at work
1. Why do companies offer summer hours?
Companies offer summer hours to give employees more time to rest, spend with family, and recharge during the warmer months. It’s also a great way to boost productivity, engagement, and overall happiness at work.
2. How do summer hours work?
Summer hours can vary between companies. Some might let employees finish early on Fridays, while others switch to a four-day workweek or allow flexible start and finish times. You can explore verified flexible employers that offer summer hours on Flexa.
3. What are the benefits of summer hours for employees?
Summer hours improve work-life balance, reduce burnout, and help employees enjoy more personal time. For companies, they can also improve retention and morale by showing trust and flexibility.
4. Which companies offer summer hours?
More and more organisations are introducing flexible summer policies. You can browse companies that offer summer hours on Flexa to find verified employers with this benefit.