Althams Travel says it is “reaping the benefits” of switching staff to a four‑day week as it plots expansion on the high street.
The company revealed increased staff productivity and a return to profit for the first time since Covid in its results for the 12 months to September 30, 2022.
Managing director Sandra McAllister said the agency’s profits were “within £26,000” of its best-ever profit, in 2019, and said the company was now on track with pre-Covid plans to expand from 31 to 40 branches.
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Althams Travel to switch to four day week to improve work-life balance
The positive trading figures were presented at the Althams Travel Managers’ Conference at Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort in Burnley.
Staff productivity for 2022 reached 108% of 2019, itself a record year, despite the shift to a four-day working week on existing salaries from April 1.
“To see staff productivity marginally up [on 2019] was fantastic,” said McAllister.
“I’d told staff they’d need to do five days’ work in four. Holidays have also gone up in value, which you have to bear in mind too.”
McAllister added: “We were concerned about maintaining productivity with the four-day week.
“[But] when it’s all work and no play, people go to work praying for the weekends. Now the attitude of staff has changed completely. They love working four days and having three days with their families. Staff are buzzing and happy to be here.”
She admitted “teething problems” such as holiday cover, but added: “We’ve got through the worst of it. Now we’re reaping the benefits.”
McAllister said the company would look at opportunities to buy shops in its Lancashire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire catchment area, adding: “We’ve got areas we are looking at and 40 would be a good number.”
The company has also started a recruitment campaign to ramp up staff numbers in existing shops in preparation for a busy start to 2023.
More: Althams unveils 5% pay rise on top of four-day week change
Althams Travel to switch to four day week to improve work-life balance