9/80 Work Schedule: Definition, Implementation, Pros & Cons

9/80 schedule is an increasingly popular term to boost work productivity outside the traditional mode of work.

In a 9/80 work schedule, you work 80 hours in 9 days instead of 10 days standard workweek plan. And enjoy an additional 1 day off.

This unique arrangement of the schedule is a refreshing alternative to the standard workweek plan for many of us.

Whether you’re a business owner aiming to enhance employee satisfaction or an HR manager exploring flexible work schedules, a 9/80 work schedule can be transformative.

In this article, you’ll find:

• 9/80 work schedule overview, pros and cons
• Implementation and challenges from my own experience
• Insights to decide whether the schedule is the right fit for you

What is A 9/80 Work Schedule?

A 9/80 work schedule is a compressed arrangement where you work 80 hours over 9 days instead of the usual 10 days. Normally, you'd work 80 hours across two weeks, with five days each week.

With this schedule, you’re working the same total hours but on fewer days. The bonus? You get an extra day off!

If I say it more specifically, here is what this work schedule looks like.

• Total of eight 9-hour work days.
• One eight-hour work day.
• Then the additional one day off.

This schedule generally spreads over two weeks. To make it easier for you here is the comparison of the 9/80 schedule with regular workweeks.

Comparison between Regular Workweek & 9/80 Schedule

The below chart compares a traditional 8-hour workday schedule and a 9/80 work schedule in a biweekly manner.

We can see that, in the 9/80 work schedule, though the employees will have to work 4 hours more than usual in the first week, they will work 4 hours less in the subsequent week.

But, the magic remains at the end, as the employees will get an extra day off on the last day of Week 2!

How Does the 9/80 Work Schedule Operate

Now that you know what a 9/80 work schedule is, you might be confused about how you can apply this schedule.

Here I’ll show you how the schedule operates and an example for its application.

Sample of 9/80 Work Schedule

The following detailed schedule shows what a normal 9/80 work schedule looks like.

Week 1 Schedule

Week 2 Schedule

This is just an example of the 9/80 work schedule. There can also be variations.

For example, the first week can be 45 hours. The second week will be then 35 hours. The total work hours will be the same as 80 hours.

Whatever you prefer!

The 9/80 work schedule increases productivity and engagement and improves work-life balance. However, it also has its fair share of disadvantages.

In the next section, I’ve highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of the 9/80 work schedule.

9/80 Work Week Advantages

Go through the advantages of the 9/80 schedule I’ve observed while practicing it in my company.

1. Proper Work-Life Balance is Ensured

Better work-life balance is the key to increasing productivity and enhancing well-being.

The employees get at least one extra day off each month. It offers them additional time to focus on personal matters.

Not only me, but Christine Macdonald, one of the founders of The Hub Events, also said so.

“The biggest advantage of a compressed work schedule like 9/80 is that employees spend less time commuting. Moreover, they get more time outside of work to take care of their personal duties.”

2. Efficiency and Productivity Boost

It’s the thing I love the most about this work schedule.

My employees are likely to have fewer personal matter-related work interruptions.

That’s because they are getting an extra day off.

Moreover, the schedule allows employees more time in a day. So they can complete their task more efficiently and focused.

Similar Read: 11 Ways to Increase Productivity in the Workplace

3. A Subtle Point of Difference for the Companies

Now that we know, the 9/80 work schedule is still in its nascent stage of flourishment, so companies can use the feature to lure more talented employees towards their workspace.

You know, 66% of employees consider a shorter workweek as an attractive perk for new job offers.

Moreover, a Drive Research study says 56 percent of employees would prefer a 40-hour, four-day workweek.

4. Decrease Absenteeism

When you implemented a 9/80 flex work schedule, your employees would likely not take many days off.

They can complete their personal to-do lists on the extra two days off in a month.

Moreover, you’ll notice better adherence to their schedule.

5. Scheduling Flexibility

I know shift coverage on the extra day off is concerning to most of the employees.

But the 9/80 schedule also makes it easier than you think.

For example, here’s what you can do.

Split your employees into two teams. One team takes Friday off, and the other Monday off.

Thus, your company can remain open from Monday to Friday without any interruptions.

6. Improved Environment

A less day in the office means a month per year with less air pollution due to commuter smoke.

So, thinking from an environmental perspective, it would be a wise decision to implement the 9/80 work schedule.

7. Cut Down the Fuel Costs

One extra off day means you needn't put the car out of the garage unless you plan for a picnic or holiday shopping.

This would give you enough space to save on fuel costs for your vehicle.

Microsoft Japan is one of the pioneers of 9/80 work schedules and one of its biggest advocates too. Their feedback on the 9/80 work schedule gives us unprecedented insight. They claimed that their productivity rose by almost 40% when they applied the new schedules where people work for nine days instead of 10 days on a bi-weekly basis but touch the 80-hour threshold of working. They also reported that their electricity consumption fell by 23% and printing paper fell by a whopping 60%!

Perpetual Guardian, a trust management company based in New Zealand, recently said that, after implementing the 9/80 work schedule, their productivity skyrocketed to 20%, and employee’s work-life balance improved by 45%.

9/80 Work Week Disadvantage

On the flip side, potential pitfalls are also present with the 9/80 work schedule. For instance,

1. A More Extended Working Day

That’s true; it's only an extra hour in a day with a 9/80 schedule. But an extra four hours in a week!

This may lead to fatigue for some employees and affect their well-being.

Moreover, one hour more work can also cause more stress and less sleep. Matt Erhard, the managing partner at recruiting firm Summit Search Group, said:

“Some employees are able to maintain consistently working strong for an entire 10-hour shift. But others may check out after six or seven hours. mentally.   That means you will get fewer effective work hours from them under a compressed schedule.”

2. Expense of sick-day leave

In a standard 8-hour workday, if an employee falls sick, he/she would enjoy a leave of 8 hours.

However, for the 9/80 work schedule, the company has to bear the cost of that extra hour for that employee.

3. The ‘Depleting Motivation’ Issue

An extra day off in two weeks is astonishing; an additional month off in a year is incredible!

But before sinking into the amusement, we must think of the momentary exhaustion we undergo while working an extra hour on a given day.

Further read: How to Keep Your Assistants Engaged and Motivated

4. Problems for the Newbies

An employee who is habituated to working a standard 8-hour day would be highly out of touch for the first few days in his new office, where a 9/80 work schedule is running.

Even your employees will face difficulties adapting to the new routine when you decide to replace the 8-hour workday with the 9-hour workday.

5. Threats to Small Businesses

Small businesses and startups will be on the brink of high risks when this 9/80 workday is started in their workplace.

As small businesses have fewer employees, the work shift might cause a lack of employees in a given project.

6. Payroll and Regulatory Issues

The 9/80 work schedule also adds complexity to the payroll. It requires adjustments for sick leaves and vacation days due to the different daily hours.

Moreover, overtime issues may also arise because the employee works 4 hours extra every other week.

7. The Cost of ‘Extra Day Off’

If a highly profitable business stays closed or off for 26 days a year, it mightn't face a loss but would lose an opportunity to make more money.

Popular Read:
↘️15 Different Work Schedule Types

9/80 Work Schedule Template

Here, I’ll show you two templates that you can replicate to ensure a proper application of a 9/80 work schedule. It will help you grasp the perception of a 9/80 work schedule for hourly employees.

Suppose a week starts on the 5th. For a two-week period, it will be completed on the 18th, as the 9/80 work schedule generally spans two weeks.

In this two-week work period, employees will have nine workdays per the 9/80 work schedule.

From the 7th to the 10th, employee will work 9 hour each day. It will cover 36 hours of work.

On the 11th, employees will work 8 hours instead of 9 hours. That’s an 8-hour workday.

From the 14th to 17th, they will again have four 9-hour workdays. It will cover another 36 hours of work.

So, in total, your employees will work 80 hours. (36 hours + 8 hours + 36 hours = 80 hours).

More importantly, they will enjoy five days off on the 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, and 18th. The last day is an additional holiday. It helps your employees bring more balance to their work-life process.

Similar read: Employee Productivity Tracker Template

Who Will Benefit The Most from a 9/80 Schedule?

Are you planning to implement a 9/80 work schedule and see the differences?

Before doing that, go through the following points to evaluate whether this approach is beneficial for you.

1. Specialist Job

If you think that your employees are specialists to a large extent, then allowing some respite, i.e., implementing a 9/80 work schedule, can be fruitful.

Moreover, if your business needs extra hours to meet the client's requirements, then the 9/80 work schedule is considerable.

The schedule will support your needs while reducing the risk of burnout. Because employees are getting an extra day off.

2. Focusing on Reducing Overtime Costs

If your company is looking to minimize overtime expenses, then you may find the 9/80 work schedule beneficial.

In this schedule, you are extending the workday by 9 hours. but compressing 80 hours in two weeks.

Thus, you can reduce overtime costs while maintaining efficiency.

3. Low Customer Interaction

Are you a software company or any other generic company that has little to no face-to-face customer interaction? In that case, you are an excellent fit for the 9/80 work schedule. Also in tech companies, the 9/80 schedule greatly complements agile planning and process.

4. ‘Take it all’ Company

Are you a pharmaceutical company or a behemoth fast-food restaurant chain?

Then you are probably the wrong candidate for the 9/80 work. schedule. You can make huge profits every day, and a day off means a lean patch week for you.

5. Multitudinous Activities

Are you running the production line of a large corporation? Then thinking of a 9/80 work schedule might be imprudent.

A product line requires employees 24/7, and it’s an interdependent job, so a day off means you won’t be able to catch up with the growing demand.

So, it would be sensible to stick to the earlier approach to work.

What are the Challenges of a 9/80 Schedule?

I’m giving you my honest experience and thoughts about the 9/80 schedule here. So, I’ll obviously not hide the challenges I’ve seen so far with this schedule. For example:

Challenge 1: Failure to design the work week properly

The firsthand problem you can encounter with the 9/80 work schedule is not designing the work week properly. It leads to issues like unwanted overtime.

Here is a sample scenario:

You might set the workweek with the standard assumptions. But sometimes your employees might end up working 36 hours only in the first week. And 44 hours in the second week.

Thus, you have 4 hours of overtime liability.

Note: I’ll show you how to get rid of these problems in later sections.

Challenge 2: Permitting early arrivals and leaving

If you allow flexibility to start and end the workday this mistake will lead to inconsistencies in project coverage and accounting.

Moreover, the overtime issue will also be there.

To stay safe it’s better for everyone to follow a fixed arrival time.  Another effective way is to implement employee monitoring software to ensure accountability.

Challenge 3: Allowing day off changes

Flexibility is often appreciated.

However, you might face complications in scheduling and staffing due to the frequent changes to the days off.

Moreover, in my view, if you own a small business with very few employees, managing these gaps will be even trickier.

So, make changes carefully.

Further read: Project Management Challenges and Ways to Overcome

How Do You Implement the 9/80 Schedule?

A 9/80 work schedule is a great way to improve employee morale and productivity. However, it’s important to make this change with careful consideration.

Let me share what exactly I suggest to do in this regard.

Assessing the employee's satisfaction

First, assess how your employee feels about the 9/80 work schedule. Whether they’re interested in longer workdays and longer weekends, though most ones prefer a three-day weekend.

As a manager, I’ve seen that open discussions about schedule changes led to better buy-in.

Calculating the costs and savings

Employee interest isn’t all. To me, financial planning is probably the most important for a business.

That is why I consider the changes in utility costs and their effect on productivity.

Keep in mind that a schedule change may not be worth implementing if it doesn’t benefit both your company and employees.

Running a trial

Suppose your employees are interested, and the schedule change may seem worthwhile. Still, to my suggestion, running a trial for at least two-week periods will be wise.

You should assess how well the new schedule has worked in practice in these two weeks. Determine if this schedule makes sense for your business.

How Payroll Works for a 9/80 Work Schedule

The 9/80 work schedule is beneficial in many ways. But let me be honest here.

This schedule might run you into potential overtime issues. That’s because your employees will clock 44 hours every other week.

So, from the payroll perspective, of course, you’ll not want to pay four hours of overtime every other week. At best, you need to track hours over two-week periods.

How? That’s as follows:

Week one:

• Monday to Thursday: 9 hours each day. For instance, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday: Four hours only. For instance, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Total Hours for Week One: 40 hours

Week two:

• Friday (First Day): The remaining 4 hours from the previous Friday. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday to Thursday: 9 hours each day. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday (last day): day off.

Total Hours for Week Two: 40 hours

Here’s my 9/80 work schedule for my employees, mitigating all the challenges.

Is a 9/80 Work Schedule Right for Your Business?

A 9/80 work schedule isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. So, ultimately, it depends.

The schedule may work well for some businesses. But may not for others.

For instance,

Industries and operations

First, the type of your business and operating hours come into consideration.

Like tech startups or engineering firms. Your employees can provide longer working periods with fewer interruptions in these businesses.

The same goes for creative agencies and professional services.

But it can be totally the opposite for retail businesses. That’s because this business needs staffing during its operating hours.

Moreover, if you own a small business, a 9/80 work schedule may not be worthwhile.

You may face difficulties covering the operating hours with a limited number of employees.

Employee preference

Furthermore, the perspective of employees also matters here. Some employees may not prefer to work longer hours or otherwise.

A case study shows half the employees of one company initially accepted the 9/80 work schedule after seeing the benefits.

97% of the employees in the study wanted to continue with the four-day workweek schedule.

As a result, the revenue increased by 35%. So, you have to keep these things in mind.

Similar read: 11 Best Ways to Increase Employee Productivity

What are the Legal Considerations Involved in the 9/80 Schedule?

Actually, there are no federal laws that restrict or prohibit the 9/80 work schedule.

However, you should be aware of some existing labor laws. For instance,

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA):

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) law mainly preserves the overtime pay right of the employee.

You have to pay overtime for any employee who has worked more than 40 hours in a week.

The overtime pay must be 1.5 times your regular pay rate under this law.

State Laws:

You should also check your state laws. That’s because there can be restrictions in your state.

For instance, the overtime rules of California.

The law says if your employee works more than 8 hours in a day, it’ll be considered overtime.

The state also has rules on alternative work schedules. You will require approval from the labor standards enforcement agency of the state before implementing the schedules.

Alternative Types of Work Schedules

After going through all about the 9/80 schedule, if it seems to be not a good fit for your business, no worries; there are several other alternatives. For instance:

• Other compressed work schedules: like the 4/10 work schedule. Here, employees work four 10-hour days. Moreover, the 3/12 work schedule. Here, they work three 12-hour days.
• Remote work: You can also allow your employees to work from home or another location.
• Flexible schedule: Employees have to work a set amount of time. But they can choose when to start and end the workday.
• Job sharing: Here, two part-time employees share the full-time position.

Conclusion

To sum up, a 9/80 work schedule can be a good fit for you if you want a flexible workweek. Moreover, a better work-life balance for your employees.

You can enhance employee productivity and engagement with this schedule. The plus point?—even without reducing the hours they work.

All just need to approach this change with careful consideration. Plan carefully and use the right tools to manage the schedule effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which industries use the 9-hour Work Day?

Generally, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing companies use the 9-hour workday. These industries require extra operational hours and extra attention. The 9-hour work schedule helps the business meet the needs of these high-demand environments.

What are the rules for a 9/80 schedule?

As the genetic rule for a 9/80 work schedule, it contains a total of eight 9-hour working days, one eight-hour day over a two-week period. As a result, the employee gets an extra day off. But the employees work the same 80 hours in two weeks.

What is a 9-80 work schedule with every other Friday off?

A 9/80 work schedule is a compressed work schedule. The employee works for 80 hours for 9 days in this schedule. Total eight nine hour days and one 8-hour day. But the employees get every other Friday off. That means a long weekend twice a month.

What is a 9-80 schedule with synchronized off days?

A 9/80 schedule with synchronized off days means that the employees will have the same Friday off every other week. It’s an alternative schedule to the usual working model. That is 8 hours a day for five days a week.

How does overtime work on a 9/80?

When an employee works more than 40 hours in a week, overtime happens. Here Fridays are split into two halves. Afternoon hours count on one week, and morning hours count on the other. It avoids overtime. But suppose your employee works more than 40 hours before Friday noon. You have to pay for overtime now. It’ll be 1.5 times your normal rate.

Do you get a lunch break on a 9/80 work schedule?

You get a lunch break on a 9/80 work schedule. For instance, suppose you start your work at 5 am or 6 am. The end of your duty is 3 pm or 4 pm. Here you will get a break for lunch in the middle, of course.

Does the 9/80 schedule exceed the 40-hour workweek?

The 9/80 work schedule is generally a two-week work schedule. Here also the employee has to work the same 80 hours like the traditional standard schedule. But the traditional schedule has 40 hours in a week. In the 9/80 work schedule, one week has 44 hours of employment and the other week has 36 hours, for a total of 80 hours.

Relevant Readings:

1. 4/10 Work Schedule: A Comprehensive Guide

2. What is the 2-2-3 Work Schedule

3. How many hours does someone work in a year