Agency trial to improve work-life balance of staff

On Agency is running a trial, reducing working hours from 35 to 30 per week for its 40 staff and two office dogs, Leo and Bear.

Client services director Andrew Coogan, 34, said: “The aim behind it was really to improve work- life balance.

“So in terms of the fact that people are being paid the same we really wanted people to be able to go home, to spend more time in Brighton, spend more time with their families.”

The idea was inspired by businesses in Sweden where many companies have adopted a shorter working day.

An employee put the evidence for the new plan’s benefits to the agency’s board who agreed to give it a try.

Office manager Faye Morgan, 32, said “I can spend more time with my daughter so that’s great obviously.

“And it’s great to have more time together – we’re very close out of work.”

On Agency has cut down on ‘unnecessary’ meetings and streamlined working processes to make the trial viable.

The Grand Parade based agency hopes to save money for its clients with the new scheme.

“If we streamline things it will cost less because obviously we’ll spend less time getting things done, so we see benefits on both sides,” Mr Coogan said.

On Agency will survey each of their clients at the end of the three-month trial period as part of their evaluation of the trial’s success.