A Fresh Approach: Our New Work Week Schedule
A Smarter Schedule: How Our Nine-Out-of-Ten Day Workweek Boosts Sustainability and Productivity
At ConstruktCLT, we're passionate about more than just building with cross-laminated timber. We believe in building sustainable solutions that go beyond the materials we use – solutions that shape how we work, live, and thrive. As part of our commitment to a better future, we're excited to announce a significant change: starting this October, we’re moving to a nine-out-of-ten-day work schedule, with our office closing every other Friday. This shift to a four-day workweek every second week reflects our belief in balance, productivity, and sustainability. It’s a change that benefits both our team and the quality of service we provide to you. Here’s why we’re making the switch and how it aligns with our core values. With this bold shift to a nine-day fortnight, ConstruktCLT continues building not only with sustainable materials but also with sustainable work practices—because the way we work should reflect the values we stand for. We look forward to growing with this new rhythm and delivering the same high-quality service you’ve come to expect from us.
Recharging and Refocusing: What Inspired the Shift…
Boosted Focus and Efficiency
Research shows that long working hours do not always translate into better productivity. On the contrary, working longer can often result in fatigue, loss of concentration, and diminished returns on effort. By introducing a four-day week every other week, our team can fully focus during workdays, knowing there’s time to rest and recharge ahead. Employees become more motivated to prioritise meaningful tasks, avoid distractions, and manage their time wisely.
The upcoming three-day weekend also serves as a powerful incentive. Instead of dragging out tasks, employees are more likely to adopt a laser-sharp focus to finish their work on time. This creates a rhythm of working smarter, not harder ensuring that
Enhanced Creativity and Problem-Solving
In creative industries like construction and design, innovation is key to staying ahead. But creativity does not thrive under stress or exhaustion. A rested mind is far more capable of generating new ideas and seeing solutions to complex challenges. Our nine-day fortnight provides regular opportunities to step back, reflect, and come back to work with fresh perspectives.
For ConstruktCLT, where innovative designs and problem-solving play crucial roles, maintaining an environment where employees feel energised is essential. These breaks are not just about physical rest—they allow the mind to explore new ideas and strategies. In practice, this means we can approach projects more creatively, driving higher-quality outcomes and solutions that add long-term value.
Strengthened Mental and Physical Well-Being
Employee well-being is at the heart of this transition. A nine-day fortnight offers more than just a break—it provides essential time to restore mental and physical health. With fewer working days, our team can decompress, enjoy personal activities, and spend time with family or friends. These benefits have a growing impact, leading to a happier, healthier workforce that performs better in the long run.
Physical well-being also im proves with more time available for exercise, self-care, and sleep. Employees can catch up on rest, pursue hobbies, or engage in fitness routines that may be challenging to fit into a traditional five-day schedule. Better well-being reduces sick days and prevents burnout, ensuring sustained engagement and performance throughout the year.
Supporting Sustainability Goals
Sustainability is at the core of ConstruktCLT's mission—not just in what we build but also in how we operate. Reducing our office hours means using fewer resources such as electricity, heating, and air conditioning. This helps us lower energy consumption and minimise our overall carbon footprint, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.
By aligning our work schedule with our environmental values, we foster a workplace culture that reflects the same principles we apply to our projects. Our focus on eco-friendly materials like CLT naturally extends to embracing sustainable practices in daily operations. This four-day workweek isn’t just about reducing our environmental impact—it’s about showing that business success and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Attracting and Retaining Top Talent
In today’s competitive job market, companies that offer flexibility and work-life balance have a clear advantage. The nine-day fortnight makes ConstruktCLT a more attractive place to work, especially for talented professionals who seek meaningful work without compromising their personal lives. Our new schedule sends a strong message: we value our team’s well-being and understand the importance of balance. This flexible work culture doesn’t just attract talent—it also helps us retain it. High employee satisfaction translates into better morale and lower turnover, which is especially important in the fast-paced construction and design industries. When employees feel supported and valued, they’re more likely to stay with the company, contributing to long-term stability and success.
We asked Structure Workshop what they think…
We asked one of our trusted collaborators, Structural Workshop, how they’re finding the shift to a similar working pattern. They shared valuable insights from their experience with a nine-day fortnight, highlighting how this approach has positively impacted their culture, performance, and employee well-being.
Cultural Success:
“We’ve now been running the scheme full time for over three years and have inspired several other companies that we work with to follow suit. It’s now embedded in our culture, and I think it has been a great success.” This shows how the nine-day fortnight is more than just a perk—it becomes part of the company’s identity, improving engagement across the team.
Balancing Flexibility and Performance:
“The scheme reflects the fact that the team are dedicated and work hard, and occasionally deadlines mean we need to put in additional hours. However, the ‘Freeday’ should be valued and linked to professionalism and performance.” Flexibility and professionalism go hand in hand, demonstrating that employees can manage their time effectively while still meeting key deadlines.
Team-Wide Rest:
“It’s important that we completely shut down on Freeday. This means everyone enjoys the time off together, rather than staggering it, making it a communal day and something to celebrate and look forward to together.” Synchronising rest days strengthens team morale and ensures everyone benefits equally from time off, fostering unity.
Retention Impact:
“The extra day means a lot to staff who carry professional responsibility and the stress of life in the big city. While it may not make us more productive, I believe the practice fosters a healthier work environment and is good for staff retention, which is a big factor in running an engineering practice.” This insight highlights the value of work-life balance, especially for those in demanding roles, and underscores how flexible schedules improve retention.
What this means for our clients
For our clients and partners, this change will not disrupt the exceptional service you are accustomed to. We will continue to deliver the same high-quality service with even more focus and efficiency than before. If you need assistance on a Friday when we are out of the office, our team will be available via email and will respond promptly when we are back.