Research firm Gartner Inc. reports that 46 percent of companies polled are planning to offer “summer Fridays” hours in 2018 — up from 42 percent in 2017, and up from the 12 percent offering some type of “summer Fridays” benefit in 2012.

The exact policy varies from company to company across the U.S. — from offering every other Friday off completely, to working extended hours Monday through Thursday so employees can leave between noon and 3 p.m. on Fridays. Work-life balance is one of the top factors new employees consider when choosing to take or leave a job, Garter reported in the 2017 survey.

Fifty-two percent of Americans left accumulated vacation days unused in 2017, Project: Time Off reported in the 2018 “State of American Vacation”; however, 45 percent of employees surveyed reported paid time off as their most important benefit, second to health care (53 percent) and ahead of retirement plans (38 percent), flexible work options (25 percent), bonuses (14 percent) and sick leave (10 percent).

SVPA Architects in West Des Moines began offering summer Friday hours three years ago to employees from Memorial Day to Labor Day, marketing manager Amber Jordan said.

“The first summer that we did it, everybody was super excited about it. It’s been well received by people — making sure that they get those hours in and having the flexibility to leave at noon,” Jordan said.

SVPA Architects’ 20 employees must meet 40 hours per week prior to leave at noon on Friday. Employees tend to adjust their hours to project demands, and some employees stay as late as 2 or 3 p.m. during pressing deadlines.

“We let our clients know that during summer hours … our office hours are until noon. If we have a deadline, we all stay late [on that Friday]. Our clients obviously come first,” Jordan said.

Jordan herself had experienced summer Friday hours at a previous job, and joined SVPA Architects as the company was discussing the potential policy in 2015. Employees with families have reported the policy is very helpful, but most staff members take advantage of the extended weekend, Jordan said.

“It’s so short-lived to enjoy the weather. I think during the summertime it’s perfect to be outside and go golfing or go to the pool,” she added.