Work smarter, not longer

National Leave the Office Early Day, celebrated annually on 2nd June, was founded in 2004 by productivity expert Laura Stack. The idea behind the day is simple yet impactful: to encourage people to work smarter, not longer, and to take time to prioritise their wellbeing and work-life balance.

While the day originated in the United States, its message resonates globally—especially here in the UK, where recent research indicates that employees are working significant amounts of unpaid overtime. A study revealed that over half of UK employees work between four and 30 hours of overtime each month, amounting to approximately 19 million days of unpaid overtime monthly. Whether due to back-to-back meetings, long commutes, or the blurred lines between home and work in a hybrid world, it’s easy for people to feel they’re “always on”.

Leave the Office Early Day is a prompt for both employers and employees to pause and consider: could we achieve the same results with fewer hours, if we worked more efficiently and intentionally?

How to implement without sacrificing output

Summer Fridays is a popular programme that many organisations use to reward their teams with early finishes during the warmer months. However, we recognise that this isn’t always a viable option for every business—especially those with limited resources, client-facing demands, or operational constraints. That’s why National Leave the Office Early Day offers a great alternative. It provides a similar morale boost and promotes work-life balance, without requiring long-term changes to work schedules. It’s a simple, one-off initiative that can have a big impact—both in how employees feel and how they perform.

Of course, most businesses can’t afford to drop the ball for a day either, but with a bit of planning, leaving early doesn’t mean productivity has to take a hit. Here’s how to make it work:

• Plan ahead: Encourage teams to prioritise key tasks earlier in the week so that essential work is covered.
• Communicate clearly: Set expectations around availability and deadlines so that colleagues and clients are aware.
• Encourage focus: Make it a meeting-free afternoon to help people power through their to-do lists without distraction.
• Be flexible: If some roles require coverage, consider rotating early finishes across the team.

Why it’s worth it

Letting your team finish early—even just occasionally—can have long-lasting benefits. It shows trust, supports mental wellbeing, and boosts morale. Employees feel valued when employers demonstrate a commitment to work-life balance, and that loyalty often translates into increased motivation and engagement.

Research consistently shows that when people feel happier at work, they’re more productive. So, giving your team a bit of extra time for themselves can actually lead to stronger results in the long run.

At People Business, we believe in modelling healthy workplace habits, and Leave the Office Early Day or Summer Fridays is a great opportunity to do just that.