Turku-based company is successfully experimenting to reduce working hours

Around ten Särskild employees from Turku started working 32 hours a week at the beginning of summer. At the same time, they receive a full salary. The CEO of the company Jesse Särs is pleased with the results of the experiment.

Employees who serve customers especially feel rested and therefore can accept clients with a clear head, says Sars.

Some of the company’s employees use the added free time while resting, others spend it on study. According to the director, some employees are annoyed by the fact that there is less time for administrative work. Employees independently plan their work schedule. They should work 32 hours in 3-6 days. Most work 4-5 days a week.

Customer Service Tomi Kaskinen finds the experiment successful.

 In the summer I spent a lot of time on the yacht, I could rest and relax, because before that there was a stressful period. Along with work, I was engaged in repairs, and now I was able to concentrate on myself and relax.

The researcher warns that not all industries can reduce working hours

Interest in Särskild has grown and the company has hired two new employees. Associate professor at the University of Jyväskylä Timo Anttila, who studied experiments to reduce working hours in the 90s, says such experiments have a positive effect on the company’s reputation.

However, in industries suffering from shortage of workers, in particular in the social sector and the health sector, such an experiment is unlikely to succeed. During the coronavirus epidemic, many workers switched to telecommuting. This could force companies to reorganize their working hours, Anttila said.

When many have changed their place of work, they began to talk about how to organize working hours in a new way. Often, shorter working hours allow you to better combine work and family life.