Vodafone New Zealand gives its 2000 staff Friday afternoons OFF for the rest of summer 

Staff at Vodafone New Zealand will be given Friday afternoons off for the rest of the summer.

The telecommunications company told staff at midday on Monday their week would be getting cut shorter so they could enjoy more of their weekend.

From January 24 until February 28 non-essential staff can leave from 2pm on Fridays. 

Bosses hope it will allow workers a chance to spend time with their loved ones.

‘We hope you’ll make the most of the extra time – perhaps escape the city for the weekend, pick up the kids from school and head to the beach, or maybe catch up with friends and family around the BBQ,’ an internal memo to staff said.

Some essential teams, such as call centre workers, will be required to stay back and work their rostered hours.

However those staff members will be rewarded with a day in lieu. 

Staff have also been warned the early finishes aren’t an excuse to get behind on their work. 

‘It’s important to note, summer hours is not about just stopping work early on Friday and getting behind in what needs to be done,’ the memo read.

Bosses hope it will allow workers a chance to spend time with their loved ones having BBQs or at the beach (stock)

‘It is about working efficiently throughout the week so you’re able to wrap up any current work and leave the office after 2pm on Fridays to enjoy more of the great Kiwi summer.’

Vodafone New Zealand is not the first business to implement such an idea, with some businesses embracing a four-day work week. 

In July 2019 Kath Blackham, CEO of digital marketing agency Versa, came up with the idea to not work Wednesdays in a bid to stop staff quitting for cushier jobs with clients. 

The company’s offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore close on Wednesdays – although staff can still go in if they need to get something done.