• Business
• Employment

By Bisnar Chase

Working from home comes with undeniable perks - no grueling commutes, better work-life balance, and even cost savings. However, for some employees, the flexibility of remote work has also led to strategic early exits. Many wrap up their workday ahead of schedule, log off early on Fridays, or send a few well-timed emails to create the illusion of being present—all without officially reducing their hours.

It’s perhaps this growing trend that prompted President Trump to sign an executive order mandating all federal employees return to in-person work full-time. But just how widespread is the phenomenon of remote workers quietly shaving hours off their week?

A Four-Day Workweek in Disguise

A recent survey by Bisnar Chase of 3,010 remote employees found that, on average, 26% admit they effectively work a four-day week. This happens through various means - starting later, finishing earlier, taking longer-than-allowed lunch breaks, or signing off completely before Friday wraps up.

When broken down across the country the study found that over a quarter (28%) remote workers in Indiana are cutting their work week short. 

Some states, however, are more guilty of this trend than others. Connecticut workers lead the way, with nearly half (47%) admitting to working four-day weeks despite being paid for five. On the other end of the spectrum, Alaska has the most diligent workforce, with only 9% admitting to cutting their workweeks short.

Created by Bisnar-Chase • Viewlarger version

Sneaky Strategies: How Remote Workers Keep Up the Illusion

While some employees simply log off early, others have developed more creative ways to keep up appearances. Nearly one in four remote workers (23%) admitted to working from a vacation destination without telling their employer. And when it comes to taking work calls, a singificant 47% confessed to doing so from the driver’s seat of their car - making it the most common unconventional location. Meanwhile, 21% have answered calls poolside or on the beach, while 15% have done so from a hotel or Airbnb in another city.

To maintain the illusion of productivity, 13% of employees use a mouse jiggler or other tricks to stay "active" on Slack or Teams. But for many, a simple status update does the trick. The most popular tactic? More than half (56%) opt for the classic “On a call” excuse - even when they’re not. Another 26% mark themselves as “Away for a quick lunch,” only to disappear for hours, while 18% set their status to “In deep focus mode” to avoid interruptions.

Distractions are another major factor affecting remote work productivity. The most common way employees stray from their tasks is by doing chores or running errands (38%), while 28% admit to playing video games during work hours. Others spend their time binge-watching TV (22%) or sneaking in a gym session or long walk (12%).

And when Friday rolls around? 42% of employees strategically send a few well-timed emails to create the appearance of working, while 33% schedule calendar events as a cover for their early departure. Another 26% simply stay “active” on Slack or Teams without actually doing much.

Perhaps the boldest move of all - 17% of remote employees admit to having worked two full-time remote jobs simultaneously.

The Remote Work Debate Continues

While some remote employees are thriving with flexible schedules, others are finding ways to game the system. With an increasing number of companies calling employees back to the office, the future of remote work - and the hidden habits it enables, remains uncertain. For now, though, it seems like many workers are making the most of their time away from the office.

"While it’s true that some remote employees are wrapping up their weeks a little early, the reality is that work isn’t as rigid as it once was”, say Brian Chase of Bisnar Chase. “Many employees respond to messages after hours, contribute to group chats in the evening, and even tackle tasks while on vacation. The traditional 9-to-5 model doesn’t always apply in a digital world where work and life are more intertwined than ever. In many ways, the flexibility of remote work allows employees to be more productive on their own terms - so while they may take a longer lunch or finish early on a Friday, they’re often making up that time elsewhere."

• Business
• Business News

Salem, Indiana—February 25, 2025. Mid-Southern Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (OTC Pink: MSVB), the holding company for Mid-Southern Savings Bank, FSB (the “Bank”), reported a net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 of $8.0 million, or $2.91 per diluted share, compared to net income $276,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the same period in 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company reported a net loss of $7.1 million, or $2.61 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for 2023.

To view the full report, click Here.

Volunteering one's time can be a beneficial undertaking. The Mayo Clinic reports research has shown that volunteering can improve physical and mental health and provide a sense of purpose, all the while teaching valuable skills. Unfortunately, many busy individuals lament that they simply do not have the time to volunteer.

Although charitable work requires an investment of time, busy professionals may find that there are plenty of opportunities to get involved that do not require making a sizable time commitment. Here is how to fit volunteering into your day no matter how busy you might be.

· Start volunteer efforts at work. One way to incorporate charitable work into your week is to pioneer a program at your place of employment. This approach can increase interest in volunteerism among colleagues, and depending on your employers' flexibility, time spent volunteering may take place during working hours. This means you can still fulfill your non-work-related obligations when the workday ends.

· Volunteer remotely. If finding something that fits with your schedule is challenging, try searching for online opportunities, suggests My Selfless Act, an online platform for sharing stories of do-goodery. By volunteering remotely, you can customize the time you volunteer to when you're available. You even can work with someone in another time zone.

· Prioritize volunteering. Sometimes not having enough time for charitable work comes down to simply poor time management. If you make volunteering a priority, you can likely find ways to streamline your workday and free up opportunities to get involved.

· Ask for help. Identify people who are supportive and can lend a helping hand so you can find time to volunteer. Delegate some of your tasks to free up time for philanthropic endeavors.

· Seek opportunities that require shorter time commitments. Plenty of charities have volunteer opportunities that do not require a significant investment of time. Micro-events, or volunteer work that is set up in shifts, merit consideration.

· Look for easy registration. Signing up to volunteer should be easy. Let the sign-up be a tell as to how complicated an opportunity may be. Organizations that provide digital access or a quick sign-up process likely value volunteers' time.

Groups looking to attract busy volunteers also should be mindful of keeping volunteer opportunities punctual and organized. If volunteers feel that their time is being wasted, they may be less likely to commit long-term.

Busy professionals will find that, with a little flexibility, it is possible to find time to volunteer.

Heart Center one of only two Indiana facilities to make Premier Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals 2025 Study

Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center has been ranked among the top Cardiovascular Hospitals in the country by Premier Inc., marking the 13th time the hospital has been named to the prestigious list. Premier, a leading technology-driven healthcare improvement company, announced the top 50 Heart Hospitals for 2025 last week. Rankings are based on an annual study that factors in several key performance areas including efficiency, outcomes and patient experience. In the 2025 study, the Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center received 5-stars (out of 5) in all key metrics.

According to the Premier Study, Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center is the only Community Hospital in Indiana to be named to the list, ranking third among Community Hospitals nationwide. This year marks the 13th year Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center has been ranked in the top 50 nationally by Premier.  More than 900 American hospitals were scored on 23 metrics across five categories this year, and the top 50 hospitals outperformed their peers in every category. If every U.S. hospital executed the same level of care as the 2025 honorees, it is estimated that 14,000 lives could be saved annually.

"This recognition brings a deep sense of pride to our entire clinical team, as it highlights an Indiana hospital excelling on the national stage," said Lori Shannon, President of Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center. "I am incredibly proud of our physician owners and grateful to our cardiovascular team for their unwavering dedication in earning this honor. Since our inception, we have remained committed to the health of central Indiana, and thanks to our associates’ dedication, we will continue to do so for years to come."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, somebody dies from heart disease every 33 seconds. Roughly one in 20 U.S. adults aged 20 and older has coronary artery disease, the most common type of cardiovascular disease, and every 40 seconds, someone experiences a heart attack, highlighting how prevalent cardiovascular disease is in the lives of Americans.

"This prestigious honor is a testament to the dedication and expertise of every member of our cardiovascular team, whose unwavering commitment has made Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center a leader in providing exceptional heart care—both in our state and across the nation," said Gregory Mazanek, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center.

About Ascension St. Vincent 

Ascension St. Vincent operates 19 hospitals in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices and clinics serving Indiana, and employs more than 13,000 associates. In Fiscal Year 2024, Ascension St. Vincent provided more than $357 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty throughout the state. Ascension St. Vincent is part of Ascension, one of the nation’s leading non-profit and Catholic health systems, with a Mission of delivering compassionate, personalized care to all with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2023, Ascension provided $2.2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes approximately 134,000 associates, 35,000 affiliated providers and 140 hospitals, serving communities in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.