NEW YORK -- Some U.S. business owners have found that offering summer hours -- a reduced schedule on Fridays, usually between Memorial Day and Labor Day -- can be a way to boost employee morale.

Michael Wieder, co-founder of Lalo, which makes baby and toddler products, thought summer hours were a good fit for his 32 employees because so many of them – about 75% — are parents.

Learn what summer hours are, the different schedules you can choose from and how to create a policy that works for your business.

For some companies, summer hours work so well they’ve gone even further. Chris Langer, co-founder of digital marketing agency CMYK, has 14 staffers who all usually work in the company’s studio.

FILE - A sign at a McDonald's restaurant is displayed on April 29, 2024, in Albany, Ore. ... Well, McDonald's is extending their hours this summer across the country, ...

Offering flexible hours may help counteract that. 66 percent of employees who have summer hours perks feel more productive as a result, according to a study performed by Opinion Research Corporation.

FILE - A sign at a McDonald's restaurant is displayed on April 29, 2024, in Albany, Ore. ... Well, McDonald's is extending their hours this summer across the country, ...

FILE - A sign at a McDonald's restaurant is displayed on April 29, 2024, in Albany, Ore. ... Well, McDonald's is extending their hours this summer across the country, ...