The company’s approach involves maintaining full salaries with the aim of boosting job satisfaction.
MAKKAH: Lucidya, a forward-thinking artificial intelligence and customer experience company based in Riyadh, has become the first private company in Saudi Arabia to introduce a four-day workweek without cutting salaries or extending daily working hours. The move is part of an effort to enhance employee well-being, productivity and job satisfaction.
Abdullah Asiri, Lucidya’s CEO, spoke about the company’s decision in an interview with *Arab News*, stating that this step reflects Lucidya’s commitment to innovation and its mission to create a workplace where employees can thrive. According to Asiri, the company has always embraced unconventional work practices since its founding in 2016.
“At Lucidya, we’ve been doing things differently from the start,” Asiri explained. “We were early adopters of remote work, and we got rid of traditional time-tracking systems long ago. Our philosophy has always been based on results, not hours worked. We believe that productivity comes from what you achieve, not how long you spend working.”
The decision to shift to a four-day week has already shown impressive results, with no drop in performance and a noticeable boost in employee morale. Asiri emphasized that giving employees more flexibility and control over their workday has had a positive impact on their enthusiasm and ability to complete tasks.
“We’ve seen a marked increase in both energy and task completion,” he noted. “Our team is thriving in this flexible environment, which encourages creativity and innovation. We trust our employees to succeed, and they’ve more than earned that trust.”
Crucially, the new work model hasn’t affected Lucidya’s services or clients. Asiri reassured that this shift will only improve the company’s commitment to maintaining high service standards and offering continuous support to its clients.
“Our decision was made easier by the fact that our employees are already committed to getting results, no matter where they are or what time they start,” Asiri shared. He added that Lucidya’s focus on an automated productivity measurement system and output-based performance created the perfect conditions for this bold change.
At the heart of Lucidya’s work culture is a deep understanding that the traditional office structure and fixed working hours are no longer necessary. “We don’t need people to sit in an office for eight hours a day to know they’re doing a good job,” Asiri said. “What matters is the quality and quantity of their work, not where or when it’s done.”
For Asiri, the goal is to create a work environment where employees are self-motivated, aligned with the company’s goals, and deeply connected to its mission. In this kind of environment, he believes, employees naturally become more proactive, take initiative, and strive to contribute to the company’s success.
“As I see it, if someone is underperforming, that won’t change just because you monitor their hours more closely,” he added. “What really makes a difference is the culture you foster.”
Lucidya, which has about 150 employees, operates in the AI, customer experience, and marketing technology sectors, serving major corporations and government clients across 11 countries. Asiri shared insights into the company’s smooth transition to a four-day workweek, explaining that they took care to prepare employees for the change well in advance.
“We began by introducing the idea early on, allowing time for psychological preparation,” Asiri said. The transition, which officially began in August, was tested with two departments first. Over time, they observed the teams’ performance and stability to ensure the new system was working effectively.
Lucidya’s new schedule allows employees to enjoy long weekends, with time off from Thursday through Saturday. This change is especially beneficial for employees who commute from other cities, offering them more time to rest and recharge.
The response from employees has been overwhelmingly positive. “There’s definitely been a lot of excitement, but beyond that, we’ve noticed a rise in employee pride,” Asiri shared. “People are proud to work at a company that genuinely cares about their well-being and doesn’t just make empty promises.”
As for concerns about potential dips in performance, Asiri remains optimistic. While it’s still too early to draw any final conclusions, initial observations have been promising.
“So far, we haven’t seen any decline in performance,” he noted. “In fact, we’re seeing increased productivity from some of our employees, which we attribute to improved mental well-being, higher morale, and the trust we’ve placed in them.”
Lucidya is also committed to transparency, and Asiri has promised that the company will publish a detailed public report on the impact of the four-day workweek once enough data is gathered.
“What we’ve found is that when employees feel truly comfortable in their workplace, they’re naturally more dedicated, and their output improves,” Asiri concluded.
By rethinking traditional work models, Lucidya is leading the way in the Kingdom, showing that flexibility and employee well-being aren’t just good for morale—they’re good for business too.
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