Applications are pouring in as one Chick-fil-A operator implemented a three-day workweek.
Justin Lindsey, the operator of Chick-fil-A Kendall in Miami, Florida, received 429 applications in one week for one full-time position.
“I want to lead with generosity,” Lindsey, who started operating the location last summer, told Today Food. “And generosity for me is two things: It’s pay and it’s time.”
Chick-fil-A in Kendall (Miami) now offering 3-day workweeks feat. 12-hour shifts pic.twitter.com/FO8aZlGZzC
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“The reality is this schedule doesn’t work for everyone. Not everyone wants to work longer days,” Lindsey added. “But for the ones that it does, it’s cool to see the positive impact it’s had on their lives.”
Lindsey explained that earlier this year, he began to experiment with scheduling that would buck the five-day workweek norm.
Chick-fil-A corporate did not find fault in Lindsey’s plan.
“Since most Chick-fil-A restaurants are independently owned and operated, local restaurant operators are able to create unique solutions to attract and retain top talent,” a Chick-fil-A spokesperson said.
Lindsey separated employees on the three-day workweek schedule into two groupings. Each group, which he calls a pod, works three consecutive 12-14-hour days with two weekends and seven consecutive days off each month. The total hours worked equals that of the regular five-day workweek cycle.
“What we’ve found is our pods are building these really cohesive teams, and they’re getting to know the strengths of the people they’re working with and the areas of opportunity,” Lindsey said, noting he has seen stronger bonds between co-workers. “We even had pods going on vacation together.”
Since implementing the new schedule option in February, Lindsey said his time spent reviewing applications has increased. He also takes several phone calls from other Chick-fil-A operators inquiring about how the schedule works.
“I just tell them it works well,” Lindsey said.
Health experts recently noted during Fortune’s CEO roundtable that employee wellness is directly linked to retention, pointing to the benefits of company cultures that support flexibility.
“People understanding that we embrace their uniqueness actually drives better connection to the company and better employee performance,” said Michelle Keefe, CEO of Syneos Health.
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Lindsey said he has retained all 18 of his managers who opted for the three-day workweek schedule. Additionally, all 24 of his 140 employees who chose the unique schedule have stuck with it.
