What is a 9/80 Work Schedule?
The 9 80 is a compressed work schedule that takes a two-week pay period and splits it into eight nine-hour days and one eight-hour day. But, employees are still paid for the entire 80-hour work week.
This means employees work nine hours a day Monday to Thursday during the first week, with Friday being an eight-hour day. In the second week, employees work nine hours a day Monday through Thursday, allowing the second Friday to be an off-day.
This means employees work nine hours a day Monday to Thursday during the first week, with Friday being an eight-hour day. In the second week, employees work nine hours a day Monday through Thursday, allowing the second Friday to be an off-day.
What is the goal of the 9/80 work Schedule?
The purpose of the 9 80 work schedule is to provide scheduling flexibility for employees and better work-life balance for employees.
TimeWellScheduled Supports the 9/80 Work Schedule
- Eliminate Conflicts: Make your schedule run smoother by viewing each employee’s availability and preferences as you build the 9/80 schedule.
- Save Time: Quickly see who is working. The dashboard gives you a snapshot of what is happening with your schedule in real-time.
- Chaos-Free Shift Changes: You can easily customize the schedule view to make the information you need easy to locate
- Repeat Your Success: When you need to fill an open shift fast, send out a shift alert via email and text message to all qualified and available staff.
Sample 9/80 Work Schedule (Two Week Period)
This example schedule includes one-hour paid lunches, which may differ depending on the company, jurisdiction, industry, or job class:
First Week
Monday-Thursday: 8 am-5 pm (36 hours) (nine-hour workdays)
Friday: 9 am-5 pm (Eight hour day)
Saturday-Sunday: off
Total: 44 scheduled work hours
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Second Week
Monday-Thursday: 8 am-5 pm (36 hours) (nine-hour workdays)
Friday-Sunday: off
Total: 36 scheduled work hours
Total scheduled work hours for both weeks: 80 hours
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The Benefits of the 9/80 Flexible Work Schedule
Many employers have started implementing alternative work schedules such as the 9/80 work week because the idea is popular with employees and provides businesses with some advantages. The benefits and challenges will vary depending on the type of business. Moreover, some of the main benefits include:
Increased productivity
Employees feel they have more control over their work schedules and additional time for personal priorities during the work week. Also, during the nine-hour days, employees will have time to plan and complete tasks during a single shift. Employees feel energized because they know the next day off is around the corner. That should boost both morale and productivity.
Flexibility
Having a weekday off allows flexibility to focus on personal priorities such as errands, chores, dental, or medical visits that would otherwise require time off. In addition, for parents, the extra days off allow them to attend school-based activities during the work week.
Reduced Commuting Time
Commuting to work is stressful, time-consuming, and with rising fuel prices, expensive. Hence, the 9/80 work schedule provides two days each month wherein employees do not have to commute. This saves employees time and money and improves mental health.
Work-life balance
The 9/80 schedule provides employees with two additional off days each month. This means employees have more time to focus on personal priorities during the work week. Therefore, for businesses, this means fewer time off requests for things like medical appointments, family events, weekend trips, or personal events that would otherwise require a time-off request.
Attracting new recruits
The 9/80 work schedule can be advertised as a fringe benefit to attract new hires. What’s more, employees looking for a flexible or alternative scheduling arrangement will find the 9/80 attractive. The pull toward work-life balance can also help to encourage employee loyalty and increase workplace morale.
The Disadvantages Of the 9/80 Work Schedule
The 9/80 schedule is not compatible with every type of business. Some businesses and industries have particular scheduling requirements that prevent employers from implementing innovative/flexible schedule methods. The following are disadvantages or challenges the 9/80 work schedule poses:
Longer Workday: nine-hour day versus eight hours
Even with two extra days off a month, some employees will struggle with working nine hours each day. The extra hour can create stress and harm employees depending on the working environment. Also, each employee will be affected differently by nine-hour work days; some employees will be more productive, others less.
Staff Scheduling Gaps
The 9/80 work schedule will only work if the business has enough employees to provide adequate coverage. In general, a smaller employee pool usually means less flexibility in terms of scheduling coverage. Thus, businesses with few or specialized employees may find it challenging to adopt a fixed 9/80 schedule.
Issues With Overtime
There may be some overtime costs for employees who are not accustomed to completing required duties over four nine-hour days. So, managers and supervisors must take a proactive role in ensuring employees manage their time appropriately.
Time Off Requests, Sick Leave & Holiday Compliance
Similar to scheduling gaps, when an employee requests time off while most employees are on their three-day weekend, shift coverage could pose challenges.
The Importance of Fair Scheduling Practices
In general, fair scheduling ensures employees have adequate time to rest and manage their personal lives between shifts. In addition, it improves work-life balance, reduces stress and the potential for burnout.
Flexible scheduling such as the 9/80 should be administered in a way that is equitable and aligned with company culture. Fairness and scheduling are both directly linked to employee engagement, satisfaction and voluntary turnover. When employees feel they are working for an employer that is fair, they are happier and more productive employees.
According to the Stable Scheduling Study Report, employee productivity increases by 5% when scheduling is consistent, stable and fair. When employees have confidence in the schedule, they are punctual, well rested, and ready for work.
In sum, fair scheduling practices significantly impacts how employees feel about their job and workplace. The perception of fairness can mean the difference between someone liking their job or leaving it.
Compliance Issues
In jurisdictions with legislated paid holidays, you may have to consult your local labor authority to ensure your business is in compliance. For example, the formula for calculating paid holidays may be affected if the public holiday falls on an employee’s extra-day off.
Flexible scheduling is becoming more popular as employees seek a better work-life balance. If you are a business owner looking to provide scheduling options to your employees, the 9/80 work schedule might be an option. It could be a great way to reduce stress and increase productivity at your business. If you’re looking for a way to change your team’s routine, why not try the 9/80 work schedule?
At TimeWellSchedule,we can support you through the transition to a 9 80 work arrangement!
- Simplify the scheduling process
- TimeWellScheduled makes building your 8/90 schedules easier and faster.
- Spend your valuable time on more important things.
TimeWellScheduled.com is a secure, online time and attendance software that is 100% tailored to meet your business scheduling needs! In addition, TimeWellScheduled facilitates employee payroll tasks, enhancing your staff management capabilities. Plus, our service is free for up to 10 employees!
Click: here to download (Excel) employee scheduling template; it’s FREE!
