Summer Fridays Are Disappearing — But is it a Fair Trade?
It’s the end of an era for the beloved Summer Friday. Once a rising perk, the number of North American workers enjoying early Friday finishes has dropped from 55% in 2019 to just 11% today. Why? Hybrid work culture may be the culprit. With many employees already working from home on Fridays, companies seem to think that flexibility is being delivered — even if it means you're still glued to your laptop at 4:59 p.m.
But not everyone agrees that remote work and time off are interchangeable. Experts warn that blurring the line between “flexible” and “off” may backfire, especially in a time when burnout is rampant and work-life boundaries are more important than ever. Being home doesn’t always mean being free.
Still, some companies are holding on to the tradition. At Jellyfish, a marketing tech firm, Summer Fridays are alive and well — encouraging employees to log off at 2 p.m. Whether you use that time for a passion project or just an early happy hour is up to you. The message is simple: high-performing teams deserve real breaks, not just the illusion of one.
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