Today is not just any Friday; it will be the last Friday my colleagues and I visit the halls of ekipa, at least for a while.
At ekipa, Bravery, one of our core values, is at the heart of everything we do. It's what propels us to continuously explore new horizons. And now, the time has come for us to make another brave move.
We are thrilled to announce that ekipa will be rolling out a four-day workweek starting next Monday!
How comes?
Every day at ekipa, we strive to positively impact the world through fresh and sustainable innovations. Now, we aim to (r)evolutionize our work model and lead it into the future. We don't just talk about innovation; we live it!
There are moments when we realize that innovation is not only feasible but also attainable. Inspired by the positive results of the four-day workweek in UK studies, we made the decision to experiment with this model within our own company.
We aspire to push the boundaries of New Work and actively shape the future of work.
Why?
Because it‘s about more than just work. We are a team, and we want to create an environment that promotes mental health, strengthens our bonds, and fosters innovation. A place where everyone feels comfortable, enjoys their work, and where performance is not only expected but also encouraged and recognized.
Undoubtedly, implementing such a transformation in a small company poses challenges that we will fearlessly embrace.
Like any bootstrapped startup without investors, we constantly strive to balance and optimize our resources.
Nevertheless, we made the decision, in collaboration with our People Manager Julia, some time ago and shared it with the entire team during our last quarterly meeting. Starting in the third quarter of this year, we will pilot the four-day workweek across the entire company for all employees. Adapted for our part-timers, working students and trainees, of course.
While this change has sparked excitement within the team, it has also raised concerns. To ensure a smooth transition, we have set aside sufficient time for preparation, enabling us to collaboratively devise customized solutions at the company, department, and individual levels. In the upcoming weeks, we'll share these solutions through our communication channels. We recognize that challenges may emerge unexpectedly, but rest assured, we will proactively address them with agility and adaptability.
Our pilot project aims to contribute to two significant dimensions: performance/output and satisfaction/mental health. To measure progress, we have established various key performance indicators (KPIs), which we will assess before, during, and after the pilot project.
After the three-month trial period, we will analyze the data, engage in extensive discussions with the team, and make an informed decision on whether and how to permanently implement the four-day workweek at ekipa.
The four-day workweek at ekipa extends beyond being a mere experiment. It represents a courageous stride towards the future of work, underscoring our commitment to mental health and innovation.
It is a resolute statement that at ekipa, we strive for more than conformity. We aspire to be trailblazers in a perpetually evolving work landscape, where we all have a role to play. Throughout this journey, we will gain valuable insights into ourselves as a team and as a company.
We are fully aware that this is a significant undertaking, one that demands courage, creativity, and unwavering dedication to our team and values. However, at ekipa, we firmly believe in the power of change and progress. We are convinced that the four-day workweek represents another stride towards a better, healthier, and more productive work environment.
As we embark on this pilot project, we are venturing into uncharted territory. And, as is customary when are exploring new paths, we anticipate unknowns and challenges. Nevertheless, we eagerly anticipate to embracing these challenges and actively shaping the workplace of the future.
We are thrilled about the journey that lies ahead and the invaluable insights we will gain along the way. Furthermore, we look forward to sharing our experiences with you as we embark on this audacious new path.
For our esteemed customers, partners, innovators, and all those interested, we have prepared a document on our website that delves deeper into the motives, changes, and impacts of this pilot project: FAQ Dokument
If you too are intrigued by the four-day workweek, seek further insights into our experiences, or wish to report on our pilot, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
So, let us eagerly anticipate what lies ahead. Here at ekipa, we firmly believe that the future of work begins here and now.
We cannot wait to embark on this journey together with our team and all our fellow travelers.
ekipa – innovate together.
#4DayWeek #WeRevampTheWorkWeek #NewWork #InnovateTogether #Bravery
