And finally…Glasgow firm introduces four day week as part of recruitment drive

A Glasgow marketing company is offering part-time hours for a full-time salary as part of plans to enhance staff wellbeing and boost recruitment.

Pursuit Marketing, which specialises in generating sales leads for businesses, has launched a four day week – with no reduction in pay or other benefits - for its sales and telemarketing staff.

The company believes it is one of the first firms in its sector to introduce the measure in the UK.

Amazon recently announced it was trialling a four day week for some staff, but under its scheme employees will also have their salaries cut accordingly.

Pursuit supplies email marketing, digital marketing, data cleansing and telemarketing services to a wide range of clients in the technology sector including Sage, Oracle and some of the world’s largest Microsoft Partners. The company, founded in 2011 with just five staff, now has 80 employees and is creating a further 35 telemarketing jobs to meet growing demand.

The four day week initiative is the latest in a series of innovative staff benefits developed by Pursuit to help employees achieve a positive work-life balance - and gain a leading edge in the jobs market.

Other perks include free 8am gym sessions, access to a wellness coach, personal trainers, massage therapists, a running club and nutrition advice. Flexible working patterns are also available with both mothers and fathers taking advantage of the scheme.

Last year the business, which pays above the Living Wage and was one of the first companies to be registered on the Scottish Business Pledge, was a winner at the Scotland’s Best Employer Awards.

Lorraine Gray, operations director at Pursuit, said: “After actively encouraging flexible working, our new four day working week is the next logical step in helping our employees achieve a positive work-life balance. It also recognises that in today’s competitive marketplace, attracting and retaining the best staff isn’t always about pounds and pence.

“We want to be clear that we are not asking people to work our traditional 37-hour weekin four days. This is about supporting the ambitions of our staff and encouraging them to be successful in a reduced schedule.

“If people want to come in and work on a Friday because their priority is to earn more bonus, then the office is open and they are welcome to join in…but this is entirely voluntary. As far as we’re concerned, our sales team’s working week is Monday toThursday. Friday is for doing the things that gives them enjoyment, whether it is spending time with their family, taking part in fitness activities or extending a sociable weekend.

“This isn’t a flash-in-the-pan experiment. We want to be known as the top employer in our industry and we want the best people to come and join our successful team.”

The company has a comprehensive youth strategy and is committed to recruiting based on attitude and not just experience. It also works with charities and education partnersto offer opportunities to those who face barriers to work. In April 2016 Pursuit was awarded Investors in Young People Gold accreditation for its outstanding approach to employing young people.

Entry level pay for telemarketing staff is up to £26,000 per annum and with bonuses can reach over £40,000.