Four-day working week at 21212 is rewarded

Edinburgh’s only Michelin star restaurant with rooms has been named as one of the pioneering businesses to feature in the 2019 Timewise Power 50 Awards.

21212, based on Royal Terrace, have been highlighted in the Employer Award category which celebrates individuals who are championing innovation in terms of flexible job design and hiring practices.

The 2019 Timewise Power 50 Awards, from social enterprise Timewise, is a roll call of 50 individuals who work part-time or flexibly at top levels within UK business. It runs a special award for employers that are exceptional in terms of innovation in flexible job design and / or flexible firing practice. The awards were set up to challenge the perception of what flexible workers can achieve.

21212 has been recognised for this award for their introduction of the four-day working week in October 2018. 21212 introduced the four-day working week to encourage the creativity of their team and to ensure a good work-life balance.

Since the change, 21212 has been commended across the industry for their approach to the wellbeing of their chefs and challenging the ingrained pressures of the kitchen.

Chef Paul Kitching and his partner Katie opened 21212 in 2009 and have been attracting visitors from far and wide ever since. 21212 earned a Michelin star soon after opening in 2010 which has been retained annually since. This year, 21212 are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

Paul introduced the change to encourage his team to spend time with their family and friends, as well as experience new cuisines and learn new culinary techniques. He has found that the extra time off has helped his chefs’ creativity and motivation in the kitchen. Staff’s salaries have been maintained.

Paul said: ‘Throughout my years in the industry, I have seen the effects that the pressure of the kitchen can have on an individual. I believe that this stress is not conducive to a thriving and creative environment, so it is important to introduce an atmosphere to the kitchen that brings perspective and helps the chefs to perform at their best.

‘Introducing a four-day working week was a natural step for us, and as a result we have seen the motivation and creativity of the team grow. We have encouraged the 21212 team to spend their extra day a week with their families and friends, discover new restaurants, go to the gym, eat great food and enjoy life!

‘We’d like to thank the judges for including us as part of their list. It is great to see so many amazing organisations recognised for their hard work in making flexible and innovative work mainstream.’

Timewise co-founder and judge Karen Mattison MBE said: ‘21212 is a trailblazer for modern work and what can be achieved when you think innovatively about work life balance, and represent how work in the UK is changing. The Timewise Power 50 List has become a beacon of hope – shining a light on what’s possible in the working world.

‘And what’s clear this year, is that the so-called quiet revolution in the workplace has suddenly found its voice.’

Other businesses that were named in the 2019 Timewise Power 50 Awards include AirB&B, Channel 4, EY and Theatre Royal.

For more information, visit www.21212restaurant.co.uk and www.timewise.co.uk.