Summer Fridays Lose Ground as Employers Prioritize Hybrid Flexibility

Once a coveted seasonal benefit, summer Fridays — which allow employees to log off early on Fridays during summer months — are becoming increasingly rare, according to workplace experts and new research.

A June survey by job site Monster found that employees ranked summer Fridays as the most valued summer benefit, ahead of summer hours and flextime. Yet, 84% of workers reported receiving no summer-specific perks at all. The decline comes as hybrid and remote work arrangements reshape traditional office routines.

Man working | Source: Pexels

“Pre-pandemic, summer Fridays were a thing, but hybrid overall has taken over,” said Bill Driscoll, a technology workplace trends expert at staffing firm Robert Half.

With many employees now working remotely on Fridays, in-office attendance has plummeted at the end of the week. The 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard from INRIX Inc. found that Friday commuting has declined sharply compared to mid-week patterns.

Monster’s Scott Blumsack emphasized the broader importance of the perk: “Summer Fridays are highly valued among workers because, for many, they represent more than just a few extra hours off.” He added that such policies help boost morale, prevent burnout, and improve retention.

Laptop blocking a person's face | Source: Pexels

Yet companies appear to be focusing more on year-round flexibility. Research by Robert Half shows a rise in hybrid and remote job postings, while a Cisco study found that 72% of organizations have implemented return-to-office mandates. Even so, Fridays remain the least popular in-office day.

Corporate wellness firm Exos has observed reduced burnout at companies offering flexible Fridays. According to Cisco, 63% of employees would even take a pay cut for more remote options, underscoring the growing importance of workplace flexibility.