Rethinking the grind!
Our take on flexible working and the 9-day fortnight
Iulia Poama-Covaci
What was once seen as a rare ‘work perk’ is now a baseline expectation for employees: that they have some degree of control over when and how they work. At Ruddocks, we believe that flexibility is not just about where you log in, but also about giving people choice and freedom to balance their lives.
What exactly is a 9-day fortnight?
Think of it as a compressed hours arrangement. Instead of working 10 days over 2 weeks, you work your full contracted hours across 9 days.
So, you get an extra day off every other week, without sacrificing your total working hours, salary or output!
Is it the same as a four-day work week?
Not quite. A four-day work week often implies a universal reduction in hours or a fixed schedule every single week. Our 9-day model is more about tactical compression.
We keep the same contracted hours, just distributed differently, which provides a bit more breathing room without disrupting the steady flow of projects.
Does it negatively affect client service?
This was our biggest concern at the start, too. But the reality is that it hasn’t caused any issues at all. In fact, it has forced us to become better at our jobs.
By refining our planning, improving cross-functional cover, and ensuring that no single project relies on just one person, we’ve actually become more efficient and more resilient.
Our clients still get the same creativity, quality and responsiveness, but from a team that is well supported and working at its best.
Can all organisations have the same approach?
Absolutely not. What works for us might not be the right fit for your team.
The secret to successful flexible working isn’t copying a policy from someone else, but rather, it’s being honest about your business operations, your clients’ needs, and the way in which your team works.
Whether that’s flexi-time, remote work, compressed hours, or a combination, the best model is the one that actually sustains your business rather than just ticking a box.
If you want to explore what would work best for your business, please feel free to reach out to our team and we’d be more than happy to give you more details about our journey.
I believe strong communication was the key to our great results. While managing workload and client meetings took a bit of adjustment at first, it’s entirely manageable and definitely worth it!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve
learned from the 9-day fortnight?
Structure is the unsung hero of flexibility. You need clear communication, visibility on availability, and a culture where people look out for one another.
Flexibility only thrives in an environment that is highly organised. If flexible working creates confusion or gaps in service, it isn’t really working for anyone.
The bottom line
By meeting people where they are, we accommodated the unique demands of different roles and personal circumstances. And for us, that means offering a range of flexible working options, including the 9-day fortnight, rather than expecting everyone to work in the exact same way.
For some of our team, the extra day away from the desk is about having time for personal appointments. For others, it’s all about being with family and friends, hobbies, or simply recharging.
Whatever the motivation, the extra time provided by the 9-day fortnight has created a more sustainable and focused workplace, happier people, and a business that’s every bit as responsive as before.
Considering flexible working options?
We’ve learned a lot over the last few years and would love to share more details about our experience.
Get in touch if you want to chat with our team about what might work for you.
Contact us
and say hello.
If you’re interested in working with us or simply want to keep in touch with our latest work and events, we’d love to hear from you.