Short Friday Initiative

1. Introduction

1.1 Importance of Employee Well-Being in Business Success

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the well-being of employees has become a critical driver of success. Celerik understands that when employees feel supported in their personal lives, they are more productive, creative, and committed to their work. The Short Friday initiative is a strategic investment in our workforce, providing a structured yet flexible opportunity for personal growth, well-being, and work-life balance. This initiative reflects our commitment to being a modern employer that values the holistic well-being of our employees, recognizing that their personal lives and professional growth are deeply interconnected.
The company aligns itself with a global shift towards innovative work-life balance practices that are proven to enhance both employee well-being and business outcomes.

1.2 Overview of the Short Friday Initiative

Short Friday is designed to give employees the gift of time—specifically, the afternoon off on Fridays after a 36-hour workweek. This time is intended to be used for activities that enhance personal well-being, such as physical fitness, mental health care, family time, or pursuing personal hobbies. It also provides an opportunity for professional development, allowing employees to engage in learning activities, attend workshops, or develop new skills. By offering this time, Celerik empowers employees to take charge of their well-being and growth, fostering a healthier and more balanced work environment.

1.3 Strategic Business Rationale for Short Friday

The Short Friday initiative is more than just a perk; it is a strategic business decision. By investing 10% of weekly work hours in employee well-being and development, Celerik aims to create a more motivated, focused, and innovative workforce. However, to maximize the benefits of this initiative, it’s crucial that employees recognize the value of this time and use it effectively. This proposal seeks to enhance the Short Friday initiative by implementing a structured approach that includes tracking, goal-setting, and feedback mechanisms, ensuring that both employees and the company gain the maximum benefit from this investment.

2. Purpose of Short Friday

2.1 Enhancing Employee Well-Being

The primary goal of Short Friday is to enhance employee well-being. By providing dedicated time for personal activities, Celerik acknowledges the importance of a balanced life. This time allows employees to recharge, address personal matters, and return to work refreshed and more focused. In turn, this improves overall job satisfaction, reduces burnout, and fosters a healthier workplace culture.

2.2 Promoting Work-Life Balance

Short Friday helps employees manage the demands of their personal and professional lives. Whether it’s attending to family needs, handling personal errands, or simply taking time to relax, this initiative supports a healthier balance between work and life. By promoting work-life balance, Celerik demonstrates its commitment to the long-term well-being of its employees.

2.3 Aligning with Business Goals and Productivity

While Short Friday is focused on well-being, it also aligns with Celerik’s business goals. A well-rested, satisfied employee is more productive, creative, and engaged. By encouraging employees to use this time for both personal and professional growth, the initiative contributes to a more skilled and resilient workforce, ultimately driving better business outcomes.

3. Activities and Opportunities

3.1 Well-Being Activities

3.1.1 Physical Fitness

Employees can dedicate their Short Friday time to physical activities such as gym workouts, yoga classes, or outdoor sports. Regular physical activity reduces stress, improves mood, and increases energy levels, significantly enhancing overall productivity and job satisfaction.

3.1.2 Mental Health Workshops

Employees can participate in mental health workshops, mindfulness sessions, or therapy appointments during Short Friday. These activities help reduce anxiety and stress, promoting a healthier work environment.

Employees can spend Short Friday afternoons with family and friends, strengthening relationships and enhancing their social well-being.

3.1.4 Rest and Creative Home Activities

Short Friday offers time for rest and relaxation, allowing employees to recharge through restful activities like taking a nap or engaging in creative projects at home, such as cooking a new recipe or reorganizing a room.

3.1.5 Recreational Outings

Short Friday provides flexibility for recreational outings, such as a trip to the park or a day out with friends, which are important for maintaining mental health.

3.2 Skill Development

3.2.1 Professional Skill Enhancement

Employees are encouraged to use Short Friday for professional development, including taking online courses, attending workshops, or working on certifications. This investment in skill development benefits both the employee and the company.

3.2.2 Personal Growth and Hobbies

Short Friday is an opportunity for employees to pursue personal interests and hobbies, such as learning a new language, engaging in creative arts, or exploring new technologies, contributing to overall well-being and skill development.

3.3 Other Personal Needs

3.3.1 Medical Appointments

Short Friday provides a convenient time for scheduling medical appointments without affecting the workweek, helping employees maintain their health and well-being.

3.3.2 Financial Appointments

Employees can manage financial tasks such as visiting the bank or meeting with a financial advisor during Short Friday, ensuring important financial matters are handled without disrupting the workweek.

3.3.3 Volunteer Work

Short Friday is also an ideal time for employees to engage in volunteer work or community service, allowing them to make a positive impact in their community while enriching their own lives.

3.3.4 CatchUp

Employees can use this time to complete any tasks that were not finished during the regular workweek or to handle emergency work assignments. This ensures that critical work is completed while maintaining the flexibility and purpose of Short Friday.

Implementation Short Friday

The person responsible should create a User Story each week as outlined in step 1, ensure that steps 2-3 are being implemented correctly, and provide guidance to ensure understanding. In step 4, the person should be able to generate reports by sprint.

Step 1: Create the User Story

Create a New User Story:
- Go to the Celerik Program and create a new User Story with the requirement type.
- Name the User Story: Use the format Short Friday + W35, where W35 is the current ISO week number.
  - Example: `Short Friday + W35

Step 1

Step 2: Create and Configure Your Task

Before creating your task, make sure to understand the tags you will use:

Tag Definitions

Learning: Use this tag for activities related to professional development, such as online courses, workshops, or certifications.
Rest: Use this tag for relaxing activities at home or engaging in hobbies.
Recreation: This tag is for outdoor or leisure activities outside the home.
Medical: Use this tag for medical appointments or health-related activities.
Errands: Use this tag for personal commitments like banking, shopping, or other necessary errands.
Volunteer: Use this tag for activities involving community service or voluntary work.
CatchUp: Use this tag if you need to finish a task that was not completed during the regular workweek or if you need to handle an emergency work assignment.

2.1 Create the Task

Each week, employees should create a task in the Azure DevOps Short Friday backlog, using the appropriate tags to categorize their planned activities.

2.1 Create the Task

Link the Task:
- Link the new task to the User Story created in Step 1.
Name the Task:
- Use the following naming convention: AMV - Short Friday W35 [Activity Description].
- Example: AMV - Short Friday W35 Caminata

2.2 Configure the Task

Select the Appropriate Tag:
- Choose one or more of the following tags based on your activity:
  - Learning
  - Rest
  - Recreation: Recreation
  - Medical
  - Errands
  - Volunteer
Select the Week:
- Set the week according to the current ISO week number.
Set the Effort:
- Allocate 4 hours for the task.

Step 2

Step 3: Save and Track

Once your task is created with the appropriate tags, naming convention, and effort, you’re all set! This helps us ensure that your well-being time is spent effectively.

Step 3

Step 4: Download data from ADO

Select Columns: Click this to customize which columns are visible. Make sure the following columns are selected:
Task Name (or Title): The name or title of the task.
Assigned To: The employee assigned to the task.
Tags: Shows the tags associated with each task.
Time Logged (or Remaining Work): This column should display the time logged against the task.
State: Displays the current state of the task (e.g., New, Active, Closed).

After selecting the relevant columns, click Apply to update the view.

Once your filters are applied and the necessary columns are visible, you can export the data.
Look for the three-dot menu (often in the top right of the backlog view) and select Export to CSV.

///
Alternative approach (we can not export directly csv in the last steps:

Click on New Query.
Change the Query Type to Tree of Work Items. This will allow you to query for parent work items and their child work items together.

Define the Parent-Child Relationship in the Query
Top-Level Work Item (Requirement):

In the first clause of your query, set up the filter for the parent Requirement:
Work Item Type: Requirement
Title: Contains Words Short Friday W35
Iteration Path: = Celerik\2024\2024-W35
Child Work Items (Tasks):

Now, define the conditions for the child Tasks linked to the parent Requirement:
In the child work items section (below the top-level work items filter), set:
Work Item Type: Task
Tags: Contains Recreation
OR Tags: Contains Learning
OR Tags: Contains Rest
OR Tags: Contains Medical
OR Tags: Contains Errands
OR Tags: Contains Volunteer
OR Tags: Contains CatchUp

Your review the type of tree: Parent/Child