The Summer Friday Isn’t Dead. You Just Have to Be a Bit Creative

Summer Fridays aren’t what they used to be. “In a non-Covid world, I would incorporate a mix of company-sponsored outings, team events, and personal time,” says Dawn Evans, human resources manager at ad agency Blue Sky. Now it’s harder for bosses to be creative, but they can still find different ways to give the ultimate gift: time off. “For the most part, employees need to be encouraged to exit the workplace and go do something they want to do, either with their family or on their own,” Evans says.

So what should you do for staffers who can’t exactly meet up to have a happy hour on the company tab? “Managers should ask employees how they would like to end their weeks,” says Todd Horton, chief executive officer of HR technology company KangoGift. Parents may want personal time; extroverted teams might want Zoom drinks or a fun group activity; the ambitious might want to take classes to improve their skills; and some might be happy just canceling a videoconference or two. Here’s how five companies are handling it.