Summer Hours Heat Up Productivity SADDLE BROOK, N.J., May 2 -- Employees with special summer work hours -- working extra hours from Monday through Thursday in order to take some free time on Friday -- claim they are more productive in the workplace. According to a recent nationwide telephone survey conducted for AOC by Opinion Research Corporation, of the 40% of Americans who receive summer hours those that do, two-thirds (66%) of these employees feel that they are more productive during the week. Only 26% feel they are not more productive and 7% don't know whether summer hours make them more productive or not. Respondents say they spend their free time doing anything from lounging in front of the TV and reading, to spending time with their children and running errands, to focusing on a hobby such as gardening, fishing, or golfing -- basically starting the weekend early. The others have doubts On the flip side, however, of the 55% of respondents who do not receive summer hours from employers, more than half (53%) don't think they would be more productive with the extra time off. Only 38% of those who work regular hours over the summer feel that their productivity would increase with extra leisure time, and 9% were not sure. When asked what they would do with their free time if they had it, workers without summer hours said they would do many of the same things as those that do -- visit with their families, clean their houses, take early vacations, and enjoy their hobbies. This survey is based upon telephone interviews with a representative sample of nearly 700 adults, 18 years of age and older, who are employed either full or part time.