Walser Launches 4-Day Work Week Prioritizing Flexibility, Customer Experience

Imagine this: Fifty-two extra working days off a year. It's not vacation time. And no, you're not "between opportunities." It's the result of a new four-day workweek at Walser Automotive Group and the newest perk for its Minnesota sales force.

The Minneapolis-based retailer rolled out the new schedules in January 2024. The change extends working hours for scheduled shifts, removing one working day a week and creating opportunities for more consecutive days off. The 4-day rotating schedule frees up 52 working days a year.

Walser Chief Human Resources Officer Sherry Schultz said the change addresses long-term employee feedback.

"For too long, retail employers and employees have been at odds over work-life balance. Our teams told us they wanted more flexible schedules to prioritize family life and personal care. They want a more predictable schedule," Schultz said. "The four-day workweek creates opportunities for our sales teams to perform more consistently while embracing true time away to recharge and refresh."

Schultz indicated that while the current change affects Walser's sales force, there are plans to expand the initiative to other groups as they learn from this initial phase.

Walser, known for prioritizing family-focused benefits, introduced paid family leave in 2018 and $10,000 in fertility and adoption assistance in 2022. Schultz said this schedule change aligns with Walser's commitment to exceptional benefits and a better employee experience.

"We strongly believe that the Walser Automotive Group is the best place to start and grow a long career across multiple disciplines," Schultz said. "We want the best talent available, and we're committed to innovating in new ways that speak to future candidates."

The new schedule also brings big benefits for Walser customers. Walser has maintained a "one person, one price" business model for decades. Yet, the end of a shift during a vehicle sale forces employees to make a difficult decision: either stick to scheduled hours and pass the customer to a colleague or compromise work-life balance and stay late to finish.

"The removal of split shift timing means customers can expect an even smoother and more consistent experience. Employees can tailor the experience as the customer would like it," Schultz said. "Better follow-through with fewer pass-offs makes for a better overall customer experience."

Walser Automotive Group operates 27 retail locations in Minnesota, Kansas, and Illinois.