Today, the business climate is constantly shifting and changing. Therefore, tech companies started adopting different scheduling models so that they can increase productivity in the workplace and keep their employees happy and ahead of their competitors. Of these, the 9/80 work schedule is presently gathering traction. This way, the weekend can be extended longer without failing to meet employees’ obligations at work. In this article, we will go into the details of 9/80 work schedule; when it is useful and if it fits your company. We will also explore flexible work hours that are a better fit for your company.
What Is a 9/80 Work Schedule?
A 9/80 work schedule is an alternative, nine-hour-a-day, eight-hours-per-weekday work week scheduling option that gives employees the ability to balance a traditional five days in office (40 hours weekly) with just one ten-hour shift of overtime throughout two consecutive weeks. What this means, simply put, is that workers would work about longer hours each day and have one extra free weekday off every two weeks, thus resulting in a three-day weekend bi-weekly.
Breakdown of the 9/80 Work Schedule
Based on a two weeks period, the 9/80 schedule looks like this. Here’s a breakdown:
- Week 1:
- Monday: 9 hours
- Tuesday: 9 hours
- Wednesday: 9 hours
- Thursday: 9 hours
- Friday: 8 hours
- Total: 44 hours
- Week 2:
- Monday: 9 hours
- Tuesday: 9 hours
- Wednesday: 9 hours
- Thursday: 9 hours
- Friday: Off
- Total: 36 hours
In this setup, an employee works eight days at the rate of 9 hours per day to reach the total expected number of working hours (80) across two weeks and one day of 8 hours. It essentially secures employee an additional day off every other week, which can have a huge impact on their work-life balance.
Comparison to Traditional 40-Hour Work Weeks
For a normal 40-hour week, this equates to eight hours per weekday across five days of the week. The 9/80 schedule condenses that over a shorter length of time, leaving longer periods of rest between one shift and the next. This model may be especially attractive to both employees and employers seeking a more flexible, productive work-life balance.
Advantages of a 9/80 Work Schedule
Increased Productivity and Employee Morale
A 9/80 work schedule offers opportunities for improved productivity. Research has shown that employees who work longer hours in shorter days tend to be more satisfied and productive going forward. A study by The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported workers on compressed work schedules saw an average 15% gain in output over their counterparts working traditional shifts.
On top of that, three-day weekends every other week does wonders for employee happiness levels. The additional day off results in an opportunity for employees to get revived and cater to their personal matters more, which allows them back at work even more focused and engaged than ever.
Improved Work-Life Balance
Employees working a 9/80 schedule work their usual number of hours per day, but within two weeks, gained an extra free day every other week. This could be especially valuable to working parents, caregivers or anyone pursuing continuous education. A study found that flexible work arrangements able to improve employees work-life balance, on top of that 9 of 10 employees want flexibility at work, and it has a positive effect on better well-being overall.
Reduced Commuting Time and Costs
It means that employees can save time and money every two weeks by having one less day of commuting. Less stress – Fewer commutes mean less money spent on fuel and transport but also mean lower levels of anxiety. Also, less commuting is likely to benefit the environment through carbon emissions. According to a study by the University of California Transportation Center, compressed workweeks alone could reduce daily vehicle miles travelled (VMT) by up to 10%.
Potential for Better Employee Retention and Attraction
Employing a 9/80 work week can be beneficial for businesses to acquire top talent and retain employees. Candidates for job positions in competitive markets appreciate the flexibility of labour relations. In fact, a recent 2024 study and another 2023 study showed that work-life balance plays an essential role in enhancing employee loyalty. The 9/80 can present a company as modern and in favour of the employee – something quite desirable to attract top talent.
Disadvantages of a 9/80 Work Schedule
Challenges in Scheduling and Coordination
9/80 work schedules can be difficult to coordinate with clients, partners, and others who are probably operating on traditional Monday-Friday 8-hour days. This disjunction can result in communication gaps and, hence, slabbing of project timelines. Firms must establish clearly defined guidelines and maintain meetings to mitigate such situations.
Potential for Employee Burnout
The 9/80 schedule allows longer weekends but bashes up the workday, which could result in burnout and fatigue if not properly controlled. Not only will this take a toll on your mental and physical health, but you may work in jobs that require intense concentration or physical labour for 9 hours a day. The extra hours we put in at work translate to worsened mental health, which adds more stress and burnout (according to a study by Workforce Lab at Slack).
Legal and Compliance Issues
Taking on a 9/80 work schedule depends largely on the legal restrictions and laws around overtime. For example, in some jurisdictions working over eight hours a day can mandate that you pay employees an overtime premium which could result is increasing labour expenses. To prevent any legal problems from arising, employers need to keep tabs on executive orders and legislation at the local (city/region) and country levels. When a business transitions to a 9/80 schedule, it is recommended for them to consult with legal and HR experts.
Is 9/80 Schedule Right for Your Company?
Factors to Consider When Implementing a 9/80 Work Schedule
Before adopting a 9/80 work schedule, companies should evaluate several factors:
- Nature of the Business and Industry: If the nature of the business you are in requires client support or operational expectations, that may not align well with a 9/80 approach. Industries that are service-based, for instance, may have significant challenges when it comes to availability over the standard five-day workweek.
- Employee Preferences and Feedback: Once you have insights and feedback into what is acceptable to your employees, propose a change in flexible hours based on that. Employee buy-in is crucial for the success of the transition.
- Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Check labour laws to ensure you are following the guidelines. That means knowing when overtime pay is required, as well as industry-specific rules that could be applicable in your case.
Steps to Implement a 9/80 Work Schedule
If opting to incorporate a 9/80 work timetable, consider the subsequent steps:
- Test Initiatives: Commence with pilot initiatives to assess the viability and compile data on productivity, employee contentment, and operational hurdles.
- Set Up Feedback Mechanisms: Build systems that allow your employees to give feedback and report issues. Regular Check-Ins can help address concerns in a timely manner.
- Monitoring and Adjustment: Monitor for results, watch the metrics closely, and tweak as necessary. On top of that, the continuous assessment makes sure the timetable stays beneficial for both employees and the company business.
Alternative Types of Work Schedules
If a 9/80 work schedule is not suitable for your company, consider these alternative work schedules:
Flex-Time
Employees can choose their start time and end. This schedule gives more flexibility and can improve work-life balance. For instance, employees may decide to come in earlier and leave sooner or stay later than others depending on what each individual finds convenient based on personal preference.
Compressed Work Weeks (4/10 Schedule)
It is another example of working longer hours on fewer days, this time four ten-hour days per week, which results in having a three days weekend each week. The benefits of such work weeks are identical to the 9/80 schedule but with a steadier amount of time off and long weekends.
Remote Work and Telecommuting
Remote work is an approach to working from home or any location other than an office. By working remotely, you will not need to commute, saving time and money while achieving a better work-life balance with increased productivity. In fact, Global Workplace Analytics reports that remote employees are 35-40% more productive than their office counterparts.
Job Sharing
In a job sharing model, there are two people, both part-time workers, who share the duties of one full-time employee. This approach can bring more flexibility to work and ensure the role is continuously covered.
Hybrid Models
These combine in-office and offsite work, splitting a worker’s time between the workplace and home. This model can give you the best of both worlds, being flexible but also still allowing for some level of in-person collaboration.
Conclusion
The 9/80 work schedule is a great alternative to the typical 40-hour week because it yields more productivity and better overall employee happiness and lifestyle for all employees since they can save money on commuting costs! However, it also has many potential problems, such as scheduling conflicts, overworking yourself, and even legal issues. Besides, companies need to judge their own needs and get a good sense of the overall situation before adopting this method. Businesses can figure out if a 9/80 work schedule is the right fit while knowing employee preferences, industry demands, and legal standards. Finally, the most effective way to improve employee satisfaction and overall productivity is by exploring alternative work schedules.
Success in designing a productive work schedule relies on intentional design, frequent review and adjustment. Whether or not it is a 9/80 schedule, the aim should constantly be to make an atmosphere that gives workers more support and provides productivity without affecting the company negatively.
If you want to attract top talent and consider different approaches, don’t rely solely on implementing another working schedule or work model. Itentio IT Recruitment, Poland’s leading tech recruitment agency, is using a comprehensive and innovative approach to match you with the best tech talent. Allow us to assist you in assembling a tech team that meets your technical requirements and resonates with your company’s culture and values.
Contact us today to explore our tailored tech recruitment solutions and discover how we can support your business growth.
