HOVE, England ¨C Two workers glide between a computer screen and a stainless steel vat making face cream, while a scientist in a white coat mixes a formula and a colleague sticks labels on bottles.
Apart from the whir of machines, there is silence. This is ¡°deep work time¡± at British skin care manufacturer 5 Squirrels, when staff strive to boost productivity so they can take Fridays off and still get a full week¡¯s pay.
Owner Gary Conroy said his 15 workers had smashed through their targets since switching to the shorter week last June and introducing four-hour periods each day when they ignore emails, don¡¯t answer phone calls and turn off instant messaging.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.