9/80 work schedule is a flexible schedule consisting of 9 working hours days, a day off over a two-week work period and an 8 hour day. It compresses the same 80 working hours for two weeks to nine days rather than the normal ten days hence the name 9days/80 hours. Even though the employees will still be working 80 hours, they will have a whole day off every two weeks. The aim is to improve employee engagement and productivity while at the same time giving them a work-life balance.
Flexible work scheduling has become more popular these days, and employees are attracted to companies that use it. Some companies like Microsoft Japan have implemented the four-day work week, which has proven to increase productivity. Flex scheduling has several benefits to employers, too, and most of them are jumping into it.
9 80 Work Schedule Example and Benefits
A typical work schedule is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Thursday (9 hours), and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday (8hours) of the first week, for the second-week employees will work nine hours for four days that is Monday to Thursday.
If you include a one-hour lunch break, your schedule will be from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday the first week. Other stakeholders prefer starting the day at 7:00 am and end at 5:00 pm. However, the number of hours worked will remain 80 for nine days.
You use a 9 80 work schedule calculator to calculate the number of hours and how to spread the hours and include the lunch breaks.
9 80 Work Schedule Example
Working Hours
- Week one 9+9+9+9+8=44 hours
- Week two 9+9+9+9=36 hours
- Total working hours for two weeks 44+36=80 hours
- Total number of working days 5+4=9
- Hence 9 days/80 hours= 9/80 work schedule
9/80 Work Schedule Advantages
- More flexibility
- Great work-life balance for employees
- An incentive for potential employees
- Increased employee engagement and productivity
- Fewer interruptions
- Timely task completion
- Less commuting
- Reduced operating costs
- Better rest for employees
9/80 Work Schedule Disadvantages
- Issues of overtime
- Long and tiring working days
- Poor performance
- Scheduling is challenging
- The company loses one whole hour for sick days or vacation days if it falls on the 9 hour day.
- Fixed work schedule that cannot be altered as and when necessary
- Less ideal for companies with fewer employees
9 80 Work Schedule Calculators
A good work schedule is a trade-off between employees doing their work and having more resting time. The main goal is to maximize profits through maximizing customer satisfaction. Employees are the most significant determinants of customer satisfaction.
One of the ways to motivate employees to promote productivity, greater engagement, and loyalty is by giving them a work-life balance. This is possible using the 9 80 work schedule. Like other people, employees want time with their loved ones, run errands, and get their things done; hence a greater need for work-life balance now than ever.
Online Hours Calculator: Timesheets Calculator | QuickBooks Time, Formerly TSheets (intuit.com)
9/80 Work Schedule Alternatives
4/10 Work Schedule
From its name, the plan consists of 10 hours a day for four working days a week. Employees here get three days off every week. Sometimes it is called a compressed workweek or four-day workweek. With this schedule, employees are working longer hours each working day.
4/10 Work Schedule Pros
- Boosts employees productivity
- More rest days hence a happy and less stressed workforce
- More work-life balance
- Reduced commuting
4/10 Work Schedule Cons
- It is not suitable for all
- Staffing challenges
- Employee fatigue
Shift Schedule Staffing Calculator (shift-schedule-design.com)
5/40 Work Schedule
It is another form of compressed work schedule that you can use as a manager as an alternative to the 9/80 plan. The traditional work schedule is five days, 40 hours a week. In this compressed schedule, an employee works 8 hours a day from Monday to Friday for a total of 40 hours.
5/40 Work Schedule vs 980 Work Schedule
For two weeks, both work schedules consist of 80 working hours
9/80 work schedule:
- 9 hours for every working day and eight hours for Friday of the first week
- One day off every two weeks
- An hour is lost, a sick day falls on the 9 hour days
- It is a two week period compressed work schedule
- Consists of 44 hours for the first week and 36 hours the second week
5/40 work schedule:
- 8 hours every workday
- No day off except on weekends
- No extra hour is lost
- Scheduling is done for a one week period
- Every work consists of 40 hours
9/80 Work Schedule Google Doc Template
The billion-dollar question is, ‘Why is it that everyone is not using it?’ You may be asking yourself why everyone is not jumping on board if it is as good as it seems. Many would like to implement flex scheduling; it is very challenging. Consumers want 24/7 customer service and availability, while employees want flexibility. For this reason, many businesses are using 9/80 work schedule for flex scheduling. You can use our work schedule template for your employees to fill in.
Make copy of 9/80 work schedule template here
9/80 Work Schedule FAQ
The following answers the frequently asked questions regarding the 9/80 work schedule.
Is a 9 80 schedule worth it?
Yes, when you properly implement this schedule, it can prove very worthy to your organization. In Microsoft Japan, the schedule improved employee productivity by 60%. In the US, this schedule has improved the quality of employees’ work by 60% and productivity by 70%. The 9 80 work schedule is also a powerful tool for employee recruitment.
Are 10-hour shifts better than 8?
Each shift has two sides of the coins, the advantages, and disadvantages. Generally, 10-hour work shifts have an increased risk of health and relationship issues to employees. 60% of employees working for 10 hours a day have had cardiovascular problems. Working long hours does not mean high productivity in an intuitive sense.
What does a 9 80 schedule look like?
Week One
Monday 8 am to 5 pm- 9 hours
Tuesday 8 am to 5 pm- 9 hours
Wednesday 8 am to 5 pm- 9 hours
Thursday 8 am to 5 pm- 9 hours
Friday 8 am to 4 pm- 8 hours
Week Two
Monday 8 am to 5 pm- 9 hours
Tuesday 8 am to 5 pm- 9 hours
Wednesday 8 am to 5 pm- 9 hours
Thursday 8 am to 5 pm- 9 hours
Friday- Day off
Total hours- 80 hour
Does 9 80 include lunch?
The 9 80 work schedule must include a lunch break of 30 minutes to one hour like any other work schedule.