As a leading senior living provider in Wisconsin, Capri is dedicated to improving the work-life balance of our care teams, recognizing that happier, more fulfilled employees are essential to providing the best possible care for our residents. This commitment to innovation and employee well-being was recently recognized on a national level when Capri Communities received the prestigious Best of the Best Award from Argentum, a leading national trade organization in senior housing, for our groundbreaking Four-Day Work Week initiative.
In January 2023, Capri Communities embarked on an exciting journey with the help of a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to launch a pilot program testing a Four-Day Work Week at three of our communities: Village Pointe Commons, Harbor Campus and St. Rita Square. The goal was simple yet transformative—to evaluate how a flexible, reduced work week could enhance the lives of our employees while maintaining or improving the high level of care provided to our residents.
The Four-Day Work Week pilot was designed specifically for our direct caregiver, nursing and dining staff. The program offers these employees greater flexibility by allowing them to work four days a week, for a total of 32 hours, while being compensated as if they worked a full 40-hour work week. This innovative approach gives employees 52 paid days off annually, ensuring they have more free time to recharge, spend with family, or pursue personal interests. Employees also have the autonomy to select the days and 8-hour shifts that work best for them, as long as their schedule includes at least one weekend shift every other week.
The benefits of this program extend beyond just time off. By reducing travel, minimizing childcare needs and lessening burnout, the Four-Day Work Week aims to create a healthier, more satisfied workforce. And the results speak for themselves. As we anticipated, the pilot led to increased employee satisfaction, improved dependability, reduced overtime wages and, most importantly, more consistent and compassionate resident care. The overwhelmingly positive response from both staff and management has allowed us to expand the program to additional Capri Communities, where it has now become a permanent fixture of our workforce strategy.
While the concept of a Four-Day Work Week may seem simple, the execution required careful planning, flexibility and patience from everyone involved. It wasn’t without its challenges, but the success of the program is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees and leadership teams.
Last month, we took time to celebrate with the community and corporate leaders who helped make this vision a reality. Their commitment to innovation and the well-being of our employees made it possible for Capri to receive this prestigious national recognition. It was truly an honor to be celebrated on such a large stage, and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone who contributed to making this program work.
As we look to the future, Capri Communities will continue to seek out new ways to improve the working environment for our team members, knowing that by investing in them, we are investing in the quality of care we deliver to our residents every day.
If you’re excited about what we’re doing here at Capri and want to be part of a team that values innovation and collaboration, we’d love to hear from you! Visit our careers page for more information on current openings and how you can become a part of our dynamic team. Not ready for a permanent commitment? Capri Communities also offers rewarding opportunities to volunteer with our great seniors and staff across southeastern Wisconsin!
