For many white-collar workers like Hannah Kristin, Fridays have taken on a new significance. Instead of being just another workday, Fridays have become a day to work from home, relax, and rejuvenate. Kristin, a 25-year-old professional based in Chicago, has designated Fridays as “Hair Mask Friday,” a day where she can take care of herself and unwind after a busy week.
Kristin’s work-from-home Fridays allow her to start the day with activities that would be difficult to fit in on other days, such as boutique fitness classes, morning walks, and catching up on household chores like laundry. She enjoys the flexibility of not having to commute to the office on Fridays, giving her the opportunity to pamper herself with a leave-in-conditioner hair mask to nourish her hair.
While Kristin values the social aspect of being in the office from Monday to Thursday, she appreciates the balance that work-from-home Fridays provide. She is not alone in this sentiment, as many white-collar workers have embraced the trend of working from home on Fridays, as shown by ongoing research from the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes.
The rise of work-from-home Fridays has had an impact on businesses, particularly those located in downtown areas that rely on weekday foot traffic. However, interviews with owners and managers of cafes, bars, gyms, and beauty salons suggest that these businesses are seeing an increase in earnings during Friday work hours. Additionally, workers view Fridays as a time to unwind and socialize, making it a popular day for spa appointments, fitness classes, and dining out.
At Burly Coffee, a local coffee shop in New York City, Fridays are the busiest day of the week, indicating that people are more likely to be out and about on Fridays compared to other weekdays. Data from Placer.ai, a foot-traffic analytics platform, shows that chain businesses experience higher foot traffic on Fridays, suggesting that people are treating themselves to lunch or coffee out, working from coffee shops, or signing off earlier from work.
For workers like Sara Daigle, Fridays hold a special significance as a day to work from home and enjoy more personal time. Daigle, who works both on-site and remotely in Dallas, appreciates the flexibility of being able to log off early on Fridays and have more time for herself. She represents a new generation of workers who may see work-from-home Fridays as a new standard, with a more flexible schedule and a focus on work-life balance.
Overall, work-from-home Fridays have become a popular trend among white-collar workers, offering a balance between in-office work and remote work. As more workers embrace this flexibility, Fridays are evolving into a day for self-care, relaxation, and socializing, making it a cherished part of the workweek for many professionals.
