Ever considered how great it would be to have a three-day weekend for extra rest or fun? (Who hasn't?) The 9/80 work schedule might just make that possible. Here’s how it works: Instead of working eight hours a day, five days a week for two weeks, you'd work nine hours a day for eight days, work one eight-hour day, and then have the second Friday off. This setup gives you a three-day weekend every other week.
Sounds appealing, right? But is it a good fit for your life and routine? To figure that out, it’s important to understand in detail what the 9/80 work schedule is and how it compares to other flexible options like the 4/10 schedule (we’ll get to that one in a minute).
In this article, we’ll break down these work schedules step-by-step, exploring the benefits and challenges, so you can decide if the 9/80 work schedule is the best choice for you.
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What is a 9/80 work schedule?
A 9/80 work schedule, also known as an alternative work schedule, is a type of flexible working arrangement designed to offer employees more time off at once while still meeting their full-time work requirements. This schedule allows you to work the same total hours across a two-week period as a traditional 40-hour, 5-day schedule but spreads them out differently to create a three-day weekend every other week.
It's an alternative approach to the standard five-day workweek, aimed at improving work-life balance. “The extra day off is a significant benefit, giving employees more time to rest, handle personal responsibilities, and recharge,” says Patrick Agnew, an employment attorney who has implemented the 9/80 work schedule in his company.
How does a 9/80 schedule work?
In a 9/80 work schedule, the 80-hour work period is compressed into nine days instead of 10. This is achieved by working eight nine-hour days and one eight-hour day over two weeks. After these nine days, you get the tenth day off, resulting in a three-day weekend.
For example, you might work nine hours Monday through Thursday, then eight hours on one Friday, and have the next Friday off completely. This cycle repeats, giving you an extended weekend every other week.
9/80 work schedule example
To better understand this 9/80 flex work schedule in real life, let’s look at a typical two-week cycle. This example will illustrate how your work hours are distributed, showing exactly how you gain that coveted three-day weekend every other week:
Week 1:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 hours/day
- Friday: 8 hours
- Saturday and Sunday: Off (standard weekend)
- Total hours worked: 44 hours
Week 2:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 hours/day
- Friday: Off (three-day weekend begins)
- Saturday and Sunday: Off
- Total hours worked: 36 hours
In this setup, you work a total of 80 hours over two weeks but get every other Friday off, leading to a three-day weekend every other week. This cycle repeats, offering both productivity during the workweek and extended rest periods.
9/80 work schedule: Pros and cons
So, what does a 9/80 work schedule mean in terms of your daily routine and overall work-life balance? Below, we outline the 9/80 work schedule pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Pros:
- Extended weekends: A three-day weekend can be a welcome chunk of time to spend relaxing, traveling, or working on personal projects.
- Better work-life balance: The extra day off can reduce burnout and provide more time for personal or family activities.
- Reduced commute time: By having one less workday every two weeks, you can potentially save on commuting costs and time, reducing personal stress and environmental impact.
- Focus and efficiency: Longer work days may allow for more uninterrupted time to focus on complex tasks, leading to greater efficiency.
- Improved work satisfaction: The added flexibility can lead to increased happiness in your job and satisfaction with your company.
Cons:
- Longer workdays: Working nine-hour days can be physically and mentally tiring, especially if your job is demanding.
- Time management challenges: With longer days, managing personal time in the evenings can become difficult.
- Coordination issues: If you’re part of a team, coordinating days off with others who may not be on the same schedule can be tricky, making meetings and teamwork more difficult.
- Potential for burnout: Longer work days might make it harder to sustain productivity over time.
- Impact on childcare: If you have children, finding childcare that matches a longer workday schedule might be challenging and could increase costs.
- Adaptation period: Adjusting to a new schedule, especially one that includes longer workdays, may take time, and some people may struggle with the transition.
What is the difference between 9/80 and 4/10?
Understanding the difference between a 4/10 or 9/80 work schedule will help you choose the right flexible work arrangement for you. Both schedules aim to provide more extended time off, but they do so in different ways.
In a 9/80 work schedule, as mentioned, over the course of two weeks you work nine-hour days for eight days, plus one eight-hour day, giving you a three-day weekend every other week. On the other hand, a 4/10 schedule involves working four ten-hour days each week, resulting in a three-day weekend every week.
4/10 work schedule example
- Monday to Thursday: 10 hours/day
- Friday: Off (start of three-day weekend)
- Saturday and Sunday: Off
- Total hours worked: 40 hours
The main distinction lies in the frequency of the extended weekends. The 9/80 work schedule offers a three-day weekend every other week, while the 4/10 schedule provides one every week.
Is a 9/80 work schedule legal?
Yes, a 9/80 work schedule is legal in the U.S. “as long as employers remain compliant with wage and hour laws,” Agnew says. The 9/80 work schedule falls under the category of alternative workweek arrangements, which are permitted provided that employers adhere to regulations regarding overtime, break periods, and employee consent.
What is a 9-hour work week schedule in this context? It’s a part of these flexible arrangements, where the standard hours are redistributed to provide extended time off. It's important to note that laws can vary by state, so employers must ensure they are following the specific legal requirements in their jurisdiction.
For instance, in states like California, employers must receive approval from employees through a formal vote before implementing a 9/80 flex work schedule. Companies need to adhere to these legal considerations before adopting a 9/80 work schedule.
How can an alternative work schedule impact overtime pay?
An alternative work schedule, such as a 4/10 or 9/80 work schedule, can influence how overtime pay is calculated. Under federal law, specifically the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), overtime is generally required for any hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek.
However, when an alternative work schedule is implemented, the structure of the workweek can shift, which may affect when overtime is triggered. “Overtime calculations depend on whether the employee is exempt or non-exempt,” Agnew says. “For exempt employees, the salary covers all hours worked in the week. For non-exempt employees, overtime pay depends on hours worked over 40 in the week or over 8 hours in a day, so the longer days in a 9/80 schedule may incur overtime.”
It's crucial for both employers and employees to understand how the specific alternative schedule will impact overtime calculations to ensure fair compensation and adherence to labor laws.
Bottom line: Is a 9/80 schedule worth it for you?
It depends on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and work environment. The 9/80 flex work schedule might be ideal if you value extended weekends and can handle longer workdays. “While it offers employees a better work-life balance with an extra day off every two weeks, the longer workdays can be challenging,” Agnew says. “So I advise starting slowly and assessing along the way.”