9/80 Work Schedule Pros And Cons

The modern workplace is all about flex — flexible hours, flexible work locations, and even flexible work styles. It’s rare to find someone who actually enjoys the traditional 9–5 work schedule. In response, many companies have switched to a 4-day workweek with 10 hours per day. But is this really any better?

The 9/80 work schedule is an alternative to the traditional 9–5 workweek. Under this system, employees work four 9-hour days and one 8-hour day (split into two 4-hour shifts), with every other Friday off. Proponents of the 9/80 work schedule argue that it offers a number of benefits over the traditional schedule.

So, what are the pros and cons of the 9/80 work schedule? Let’s take a look.

The 9/80 schedule, explained

While the specifics may vary from company to company, the typical 9/80 work schedule works like this: employees work four 9-hour days and one 8-hour day (split into two 4-hour shifts), with every other Friday off.

However, some companies may split the 8-hour day into two days, so that employees work four 9-hour days and one 4-hour day. This allows for more flexible scheduling, as employees can choose which shift they want to work on their day off.

Here’s an example of how the 9/80 work schedule might look, sourced from Indeed:

Monday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Tuesday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Wednesday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Thursday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. (second week begins)

Weekend: Employees off both Saturday and Sunday

Monday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Wednesday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Thursday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-hour lunch break, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Friday: Employees earn the day off

It can be difficult to understand the iterations of 9/80 work schedules, but so long as each week has four nine-hour shifts, you should be on the right track!

Advantages of the 9/80 work schedule

Because the 9-day 80-hour work schedule is arranged in a way that allows for flexible scheduling and three-day weekends, many people see it as an improvement on the traditional 9–5 workweek.

The benefits go much deeper than this, however. Let’s take a look at some of the key advantages of the 9/80 work schedule.

1. Increased productivity and decreased burnout

How would you feel with an extra day to your weekend every second week? Likely, you’d feel relieved at finally having a chance to relax and recharge.

This is the key advantage of the 9/80 work schedule — it gives employees more time to relax and reduces burnout. When employees are less burned out, they’re more productive.

2. Increased job satisfaction

Employees who enjoy their jobs are more likely to be productive and stay with their companies for longer. The 9/80 work schedule can increase job satisfaction by giving employees more time to enjoy their work and reducing burnout.

3. Increased flexibility

Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits of the 9/80 work schedule is increased flexibility. With three-day weekends, employees have more time to take care of personal errands, spend time with family and friends, and relax.

Not only does this schedule offer long weekends every second week, but it also allows employees to rearrange their work hours to better accommodate their personal lives.

4. Increased morale

There’s nothing like a long weekend to boost morale! When employees have more time to relax and enjoy their lives outside of work, they’re less stressed and more productive when they’re at work.

The 9/80 work schedule can increase morale by providing employees with a better work-life balance.

5. Reduced overhead costs

Paid time off can be a significant overhead expense for businesses, but this is reduced with the 9/80 work schedule. With three-day weekends every other week, employees are less likely to use their paid time off.

This is because employees use their long weekend to take care of personal errands and relax, rather than taking a day off from work.

Disadvantages of the 9/80 work schedule

Of course, nothing is without its disadvantages, and the 9/80 work schedule is no exception. Let’s take a look at some of the key disadvantages of this system.

1. Increased workload on 9-hour days

While some employees love the 9/80 arrangement, others struggle to readjust to an extra hour each day, Monday through Thursday. 9-hour days can feel particularly long — especially if you are used to a more traditional 8-hour work day.

2. Too few employees

In small businesses, it may be difficult to cover all shifts with the required number of employees on Fridays. This can leave businesses short-staffed, and may require mandatory overtime for some employees.

3. Decreased productivity on Fridays

We are creatures of habit, and as such, the 9/80 schedule may cause Friday to become a ‘bludge’ day for many employees. This can lead to a decrease in overall productivity, as people take longer to get into the work groove and complete their tasks.

How to start the 9/80 schedule in your workplace

If you’re considering implementing the 9/80 work schedule in your workplace, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some tips:

Consult with your employees before making any changes

It’s important to get your employees on board with any changes you make to their work schedule. This will help to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any conflict.

Give employees advance notice

If you’re planning to switch to a 9/80 work schedule, give your employees as much advance notice as possible. No one wants to have their work schedule unexpectedly changed.

Stick to a regular schedule

Once you’ve switched to a 9/80 work schedule, be sure to stick to it! This will help your employees to better adapt and avoid any confusion.

To create your schedule, follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a day to be your ‘9-day’

This will be the day on which you work 9 hours, Monday through Thursday. Be sure to choose a day that works for both you and your employees.

2. Assign employees to shifts

Next, assign employees to shifts. You’ll need to have enough employees to cover all shifts on Fridays.

3. Create a weekly schedule

Finally, create a weekly schedule that outlines the times each employee is working. This will help you and your employees stay organized and plan their days accordingly.

Alternatives to the 9/80 schedule

If your company isn’t set up to accommodate a 9/80 schedule, don’t worry — there are a number of other schedules that can help you achieve the same goal.

The 4/10 work schedule is one alternative. Under this plan, employees work four 10-hour days per week instead of the traditional five 8-hour days. This schedule allows for three days off in a row every week, which many people find more desirable than the two days off you get with a 9/80 schedule.

Another option is to create a completely flexible work schedule. This would allow employees to work whatever hours they want, within reason, as long as they complete their required number of hours each week.

This type of schedule can be great for people with young children or other caregiving responsibilities, since it gives them more flexibility to juggle their work and home lives.

Whichever route you choose, it’s always best to keep things flexible. That way, you can accommodate the needs of both your employees and your business.

9/80 Work Schedule: Final Thoughts

Now more than ever, the workplace is set up to offer flexibility for employees in order to help them maintain a healthy work-life balance. While there are a variety of flex schedules to choose from, the 9/80 work schedule is one that is gaining in popularity.

If you are looking to implement a 9/80 work schedule in your workplace, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that all of your employees are on board with the change. Additionally, you will need to be flexible as some employees may need to work a few overtime hours in order to cover their shifts.

Overall, the 9/80 work schedule can be a great way for employees to balance their work and personal lives. It can also help to improve employee productivity and reduce absenteeism. Hopefully this article has given you a better idea of what the 9/80 work schedule is and whether or not it is the right fit for your workplace.