The weekend is starting early! Tomorrow is National Leave Work at 4pm Day – so don’t forget to remind/convince your bosses.
National Leave Work at 4pm Day sounds like something an employee came up with one day when they simply couldn’t be bothered to make it through the last hour of their 9-5 shift – but regardless of how it began, it means an early weekend starting at 4pm tomorrow, Friday September 14.
The brilliant idea was actually invented by Red Bull, who came up with the early finish as a way of promoting working smart, not working hard.
The energy drink company explained on their website:
At Red Bull, we know you work hard. You put the hours in to get the job done. That’s why on Friday, September 14 2018, we want to give you back that extra hour (or more) by finishing early.
#4pmFinish isn’t about slacking off, it’s about being more productive. That’s why we’ve surveyed a range of experts – including a scientist, an ex-sports star and a range of successful entrepreneurs – for their tips on clearing your in-tray.
The idea could have gone either way, with many bosses simply waving off the prospect of a 4pm finish, but the public came together to convince them otherwise.
With the hashtag ‘#4pmFinish’, National Leave Work at 4pm Day became a popular topic on social media, so much so that while it might not technically be an officially calendar recognised holiday, it gained an authority of its own, and now all those bosses are now under the pressure of the masses to give their employees what they want.
The good news is, a lot of companies seem to be on board. Those who sign up are in with a chance of being rewarded a ‘Red Bull trial pack’, to help you power through your last hours of work and get your weekend get off to a flying start.
A few of the lucky participants have been sharing their excitement for the day on Twitter.
One person wrote:
The best parcel ever turns up at work this morning anyone who knows me knows how happy i was when i opened this #4pmfinish and @RedBullUK it’s now safe to say the office are jumping on the bang wagon now.
Other keen employees are suggesting we make #4pmFinish more than just an annual event, and possibly even a binding law.
One tweet read:
Wishing we could do #4pmfinish every week of the year! Surely everybody will be more efficient @RedBullUK
While another suggested:
#4pmfinish on Friday’s should be the law.
I’m still not entirely sure how finishing at 4pm helps you be productive, unless the productivity is done at the pub with the extra hour on Friday night, but I’m not going to question it.
For all those who are taking part in the day, have a happy early weekend, and get the beers in ready for all your less fortunate friends.
Sign up for National Leave Work at 4pm Day here, and become the best boss ever.
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to stories@unilad.co.uk.
Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.