What Is a 9/80 Work Schedule? Is It Suitable for Your Business?

What Is a 9/80 Work Schedule?

A 9/80 work schedule is a flexible work arrangement that allows employees to work nine hours a day for four days a week, while taking every other Friday off. This schedule typically involves employees working four nine-hour days, followed by an eight-hour day on the fifth day, with an additional day off every other week.

The 9/80 work schedule can be a good option for organizations that want to offer employees more flexibility in their work schedule while still maintaining a traditional five-day work week. It can help employees to achieve a better work-life balance and can be especially beneficial for those who have long commutes or other commitments outside of work.

However, it is important for organizations to carefully consider the potential impact of a 9/80 work schedule on employee productivity and workload, as well as any potential legal or compliance issues. It is also important to communicate clearly with employees about the expectations and responsibilities associated with this type of work arrangement.

How does a 9/80 schedule work?

Let us take a simple example. In the first week, an employee would work Monday to Thursday for 9 hours. S/he would work on Friday for 8 hours. This makes the first week’s total 44 hours. 

In the second week, the employee would work Monday to Thursday for 9 hours each; Friday will be an additional day off. The second week’s total would come to 36 hours. This way, the employee has worked for 8 hours with an additional day off. 

For payroll purposes, you can calculate work over a two-week period instead of the regular weekly calculation. Otherwise, your system will show that overtime pay for 4 hours is to be given to the employee. You can also mark one half of Friday’s work (4 hours) in the first week and the second half in the second week.

Benefits of a 9/80 work schedule:

A 9/80 work schedule can offer several benefits to both employees and organizations. Some potential benefits include:

1. Improved work-life balance:

   A 9/80 work schedule can provide employees with an additional day off every other week, which can help them to achieve a better balance between their work and personal lives. This can be particularly beneficial for those who have long commutes or other commitments outside of work.

2. Increased productivity:

   Some research suggests that a 9/80 work schedule can lead to increased productivity, as employees may be more focused and motivated when they are at work. This can be due to the fact that they have the opportunity to take an additional day off every other week, which can help to reduce burnout and improve overall job satisfaction.

3. Reduced absenteeism:
   

   A 9/80 work schedule can help to reduce absenteeism, as employees may be more likely to show up for work when they have the opportunity to take an additional day off every other week. This can be beneficial for both employees and organizations, as it can help to improve overall productivity and reduce the need for paid time off.

Challenges of a 9/80 work schedule

While a 9/80 work schedule can offer many benefits, there are also potential challenges to consider. Some potential disadvantages include:

1. Increased workload on certain days
   

   A 9/80 work schedule can lead to increased workload on certain days, as employees may be required to work longer hours in order to maintain a traditional five-day work week. This can be particularly challenging for employees who have additional responsibilities outside of work, such as caring for children or elderly family members.

2. Difficulty coordinating with other schedules
   

   A 9/80 work schedule may be difficult to coordinate with the schedules of other employees, particularly if not all employees are on the same schedule. This can lead to communication challenges and may make it difficult to schedule meetings or collaborate on projects.

3. Legal and compliance issues
   

   Depending on the laws and regulations in a given location, a 9/80 work schedule may raise legal or compliance issues, such as overtime pay requirements or the need for additional breaks or rest periods. It is important for organizations to carefully consider these issues and ensure that they are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

4. Limited flexibility
   

   While a 9/80 work schedule may offer some flexibility in terms of the number of days off, it may not be as flexible as other types of work arrangements, such as flexible work hours or the ability to work from home. This can be a disadvantage for employees who need more flexibility in their schedules.

Is a 9/80 work schedule suitable for your business?

There are several factors to consider when determining whether a 9/80 work schedule is suitable for your business. Some key considerations include:

1. The nature of the work: If your business is heavily customer-facing, a 9/80 work schedule may not be suitable, as it does not account for peak or lean times. However, if the work is internal-facing, a 9/80 schedule could be a good fit.
2. Industry compliances: It is important to consider any industry-specific compliances or regulations that may impact your decision to adopt a 9/80 schedule.
3. Size of the workforce: The size of your workforce can also be a factor in determining whether a 9/80 schedule is suitable. If you have a small team, it may be more challenging to implement this type of schedule.
4. Staffing and cash flow resources: If you have limited funds to cover overtime expenses or longer cash flow cycles, a 9/80 schedule may not be feasible.
5. Employee willingness: If your employees are not willing to adopt a 9/80 schedule, it may be difficult to implement this type of work arrangement.

By carefully considering these and other factors, you can determine whether a 9/80 work schedule is suitable for your business.

Make scheduling easier with the right tools 

Effective implementation of a 9/80 work schedule requires both a clear policy for employees to follow and the right tools to manage scheduling and time tracking. Before implementing this type of schedule, it is important to discuss the plan with management and employees in an open forum to ensure that everyone is on board. 

To facilitate the transition to a 9/80 schedule, consider using a scheduling and time-tracking tool like KNOW, which can help you digitize and automate shift planning, track clock-in/out, and generate time reports quickly and efficiently. With the right tools and policies in place, you can make the transition to a 9/80 schedule smooth and seamless.

Frequently Asked Questions 

• How many work days are in a 9 80 schedule?
  

  A 9/80 work schedule is a schedule that allows employees to work a full-time schedule (80 hours) over the course of nine days, rather than the traditional ten days of a five-day workweek. This is achieved by working nine hours per day for eight days and eight hours on the ninth day, followed by an additional day off. In this way, employees are able to have an extra day off each week, while still working a full-time schedule.

• How do I make a 9 80 schedule?
  

  To create a 9/80 work schedule, you will need to determine which days of the week your employees will work and which days they will have off. Here are some steps you can follow to create a 9/80 schedule:

1. Determine the length of your workweek: A 9/80 schedule consists of a total of nine days of work over a two-week period.
2. Determine the number of hours per day: Employees will work nine hours per day for eight days, and eight hours on the ninth day.
3. Assign days off: The additional day off can be taken on any day of the week, typically on Friday.
4. Review and adjust as needed: Once the schedule has been implemented, it is a good idea to periodically review and assess its effectiveness, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it is working well for your employees and your business.

• How does a 9 80 schedule work overtime?
  

  Overtime is typically calculated based on the number of hours an employee works in excess of their regular schedule. In a 9/80 work schedule, employees work a total of 80 hours over nine days, with an additional day off. If an employee works more than 80 hours over the course of nine days, they will be entitled to overtime pay.

  For example, if an employee works nine hours per day for eight days, and eight hours on the ninth day, they will have worked a total of 72 hours. If they work an additional eight hours on their day off, they will have worked a total of 80 hours. If they work more than eight hours on their day off, they will be entitled to overtime pay.

  It is important to track and accurately record the hours worked by employees in a 9/80 schedule to ensure that they are properly compensated for overtime. This can be done using time tracking software.
  

• Are 10 hour shifts better than 8?
  

  The benefits and drawbacks of 10-hour shifts versus 8-hour shifts depend on a variety of factors, including the nature of the work, the preferences of the employees, and the needs of the organization. Here are some potential pros and cons of 10-hour shifts:

Pros:

• 10-hour shifts may allow for more efficient use of staff and resources, as fewer employees may be needed to cover a given period of time.
• Employees may have longer breaks between shifts, which can help reduce fatigue and improve morale.
• 10-hour shifts may allow employees to have more days off each week, which can be beneficial for work-life balance.

Cons:

• 10-hour shifts may be more physically demanding, as employees are working longer periods of time without a break.
• Employees may have less flexibility in their schedules, as they may have to work more consecutive days before having time off.
• 10-hour shifts may be more difficult to manage, as there may be more logistical challenges in scheduling and staffing.

Ultimately, the decision to use 10-hour shifts versus 8-hour shifts should be based on the specific needs and circumstances of the organization and its employees. It may be worth considering a trial period to see if 10-hour shifts work well for your organization before making a long-term commitment.

• How does 9 80 schedule work for hourly employees?
  

  A 9/80 work schedule can work for hourly employees in a similar way as it does for salaried employees. Hourly employees typically track their hours worked and are paid based on the number of hours they work. In a 9/80 schedule, hourly employees would work nine hours per day for eight days, and eight hours on the ninth day. They would then have an additional day off.

  It is important to accurately track and record the hours worked by hourly employees in a 9/80 schedule to ensure that they are properly compensated. Hourly employees may also be entitled to overtime pay if they work more than the standard 80 hours over the course of nine days.

• How many days is 80 working hours?
  

  Eighty working hours is equivalent to ten 8-hour workdays. If you work 8 hours per day, it will take you ten days to work a total of 80 hours. This assumes that you are working a traditional five-day workweek and taking no days off.

  The number of days it takes to work 80 hours can vary depending on the length of your workdays and the number of days you work per week. For example, if you work a 9/80 schedule, you will work 80 hours over the course of nine days by working nine hours per day for eight days and eight hours on the ninth day. In this case, it would take you nine days to work 80 hours.