If you have the choice to abandon the traditional 9-to-5 work schedule in favor of something that allows you more freedom and flexibility. Would you go for it? — You're probably nodding right now!
Even if you don't— Give us a few minutes to change your mind with the intriguing solution of a 9/80 work schedule!
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has been put to the test in certain aspects, including work schedules. We've been following the same 9-to-5 work schedule all throughout the world since the 1920s.
However, following the pandemic, the entire working schedule changed dramatically. In addition, new alternatives have rendered the 9-to-5 work schedule outdated.
Companies adopted several alternatives when it comes to working schedules or work-week. Among those alternatives, one of the hottest workweek schedules includes a 9/80 work schedule.
In today’s article, we will learn all concepts of the 9/80 work schedule and top examples. Let’s take a look at what we’ll cover further:
- Understanding 9/80 Schedule
- Researcher Viewpoints
- Functioning of 9/80 Schedule
- Key Benefits of 9/80 Schedule
- Major Drawbacks of 9/80 Schedule
- Operating Payroll for 9/80 Work Week
- Generating 9/80 Work Schedule
- Sample of 9/80 Work Schedule
- Successful Examples of 9/80 Work Schedule
- Overtime Associated with 9/80 Work Schedule
- Can a 9/80 Schedule Work for your Business?
- How Deskera Can Assist You?
Let’s Explore!
Understanding 9/80 Schedule
Choose one of the following work schedules—
The majority of you will choose the second option. Obviously, who doesn’t love more days off, isn’t it?
That’s exactly what the 9/80 work schedule is. Let’s understand theoretically now:
A 9/80 work schedule is a compressed work schedule that is followed by a bi-weekly plan. Employees are required to work 80 hours every two weeks, with an additional holiday every second week.
For each month, you will obtain two extra days off. That means you’ll get about 26 additional days off, which is a tremendous benefit for any employee at any level.
The objective of the 9/80 work schedule is to significantly boost engagement and productivity while also providing a better work-life balance.
Following we have provided a format of the 9/80 work schedule for your reference:
Here is the breakdown for your reference:
For the First Week:
For the Second Week:
Researcher Viewpoints
According to research, a 9/80 work schedule can boost employee standard of work by 60% and efficiency by 70% in the United States, which is a substantial increase.
According to a CNBC analysis, the average automobile owner in the United States spends roughly 40 hours in traffic each year, costing them an additional $960. So, if the 9/80 work schedule is properly adopted industrywide, 26 days off each year can save a significant amount of money.
Aside from productivity, most organizations are concerned about work-life balance, and employers care about their employees. They enjoy reducing the disequilibrium. The majority of organizations that followed the 9/80 work schedule had positive benefits in this area.
Under the objective lens, there are a few hiccups. Some businesses proceeded with the change without conducting a cost-benefit analysis, which resulted in a disastrous outcome.
Functioning of 9/80 Schedule
Employees on a 9/80 work schedule work eight nine-hour days and one eight-hour day for two weeks. Further, it allows employees to complete 80 hours in two weeks in order to receive one day off.
For companies that employ the 9/80 system, a week is divided into four nine-hour days and one eight-hour day made up of two four-hour intervals.
The first four-hour period concludes the first week, and the second week begins with the second. Companies divide the day into two parts for payroll: the first four hours are used for week one, and the second four hours are used for week two.
Key Benefits of 9/80 Schedule
Following we have listed some crucial key advantages of the 9/80 work schedule. Let’s learn:
1. Boosts Productivity of Employees
Employees that have greater control over their daily work schedules contribute more vitality to the workplace. Having an extra day off every other week as a bonus provides immediate enjoyment, which leads to increased enthusiasm about everyday job responsibilities.
Moreover, this framework has the advantage of completing more tasks each day. It is generally because people are excited to come to work and not due to extra working hours.
It's usually because people are looking forward to going to work, rather than because of longer hours.
In the United States, the 9-80 work schedule can enhance an employee's standard of work by 60% and their efficiency by 70%. Employers who enable people to work on a flexible schedule notice reduced sick days and vacation applications.
2. Non-Interruptions at Work
An employee gets enough time to manage personal duties due to the obvious timetable framework, resulting in fewer disruptions during business hours.
An additional hour of work per day increases an individual's chances of completing assignments that they started the day before.
Because employees have more influence over their job, this technology can enhance work engagement at no added cost.
3. Ensured Work-life Balance
Balance is essential no matter what profession you have or what industry you work in. Furthermore, family comes first for everyone, and striking a work-life balance can be regarded as a lifetime achievement.
However, there aren't many people in the world that have a good balance between work and family life. To resolve this issue— companies are adopting new techniques for their employees.
Interestingly, a 9/80 work schedule can help to solve this problem. It allows employees to take an extra day off along with work productivity and job satisfaction. No company head wants to see disgruntled employees working on important tasks. Therefore, you can take advantage of the new schedule, which can assist to alleviate the pain.
4. Reduce your Fuel Costs
“A Penny Saved is Penny Earned”
Having an extra day off would save you some amount of money. Moreover, you won’t take out your vehicle on your day off unless you’re traveling or shopping. As a result, this would offer you plenty of room to save the heavy fuel costs.
You might be wondering how one day off could save your money. Then, just consider how much money you could save over the course of a month. Isn't that a nice chunk of money?
A bi-weekly method allows you to take an extra day off, giving you a total of 26 days off per year. If you calculate that amount and days— you might be surprised how much you can save with just an additional day off.
5. Attract Talented Employees
In today's highly competitive work world, finding new staff might be tough. Before investing in your company, new workers frequently want as many perks and benefits as possible. Your organization will be more appealing to potential employees if you have a 9/80 work schedule.
A 9/80 schedule appeals to new workers because it provides a work-life balance tailored to their own circumstances. To get more control over their schedule, a new employee will not have to wait to be promoted.
To get more control over their time, they do not need to work for weeks, months, or even years. As a result, that's a great incentive to offer, and it'll help you recruit more effectively.
6. 9/80 Schedule offers time for Personal Commitments
Employees have two more days off during each cycle, giving them more time to deal with the unexpected responsibilities that emerge in life.
Moreover, instead of going on vacation or paid sick leave, they can arrange medical checkups on their off days. It allows families to arrange extended weekend holidays that can be used as small getaways.
Additionally, employees have extra time to go shopping, acquire a hobby, or be available for their children's after-school activities. With that extra day off every other week, there's even more time to think about volunteering.
7. Employees have Control over Shift Coverage
The 9/80 work schedule offers flexibility to employees. Moreover, anyone in the office has control over their shift coverage as they can work on Friday or Monday.
Because the 9/80 work schedule is so flexible, anyone in the office can work on Friday or Monday. There may be a few individuals who prefer to use their additional time on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, which expands the alternatives even further.
Moreover, you'll also get additional coverage around the first or last hour of the day, when employees arrive early or stay late to pick up their 9-hour workday commitments.
However this option can cause issues for local organizations and limit holiday scheduling, firms still have enough workers on hand to provide the support that their clients demand.
8. Help Environment
As previously stated, your industry's automobiles are withdrawn off the street for two days per month per worker when you allow everyone in the office to start working a 9-80 schedule.
Suppose you have 100 employees in your organization, it computes to 400 total trips from office to home and vice-versa. So, when you offer one extra day off— it means reduced emission of carbon dioxide and less pollution. And, it also saves fuel costs as stated earlier.
Though employees may commute on their days off, these activities or errands are more likely to take place on the weekends. The deployment of an alternate timetable almost always results in a net environmental benefit.
Major Drawbacks of 9/80 Schedule
Following we have discussed some major pitfalls when it comes to the 9/80 work schedule. Let’s learn:
1. Causes Staffing Shortages in some situations
A corporation will have complete coverage if the 980 work program runs effectively. If an individual takes time off when others are spending their three-day weekend, coverage may suffer significantly.
Some businesses do not have enough staff to reap the benefits of the additional two days off provided by this idea. In order to ensure that there is enough staff accessible to service clients, a thorough, long-term look at the schedule is an essential while looking at this program.
2. More Ways to Exploit the System
Some people can boost their productivity by adhering to an unconventional schedule. However, this is not the case for everyone. Employees may hamper their performance if an organization's business hours are established outside of conventional business hours.
Moreover, if you work for a B2B company, it's probable that no one will be available during extended hours.
It's also important to remember that anyone with the authority to work remotely can connect to an account and pretend to be busy.
Corporations must have the means to monitor their employees' conduct beyond the regular timetable if a manager is not present during this time.
3. Reduced Productivity during the First and Final Hour
During the middle of the day, certain workers' optimum productivity levels are at their highest.
However, if you are the sort of person who obtains a lot of work done early in the morning or late at night. Then, the 9/80 work schedule may benefit you because a calmer office will allow you to work more efficiently.
Moreover, if you don't fit that description, you might find that this alternate option causes more harm than good to your work ethic.
4. Change in Pattern
If a company adds an hour to the morning shift. Then, certain employees may require additional time to acclimate. It means they'll have to finish any personal duties. It includes disrupted sleep patterns, driving children to school, and so on.
As a result, employee performance may suffer in the extra hour, depending on how businesses move their 9/80 hours.
5. Small Enterprises have Less Coverage
The 9/80 timetable may be problematic for small businesses with few employees. It's possible that there won't be enough workers to split the day off and enhance coverage.
In other cases, companies may have just enough staff to divide them into two teams, but not enough for each department to handle all of the work during their shifts.
6. Leave of Absence
If you implement a 9/80 work schedule, you may need to modify your sick leave policy. A day absent from work due to illness represents nine hours instead of the usual eight with this timetable.
Because nine hours and eight hours don't split evenly into the very same numbers (unless you wish to offer parts of a workday or raise your sick leave to 72 hours), you'll need to reorganize your timetable to make the new one function.
7. Time Management Issues
You might also run into problems with overtime. If teammates do not stick to the stated work hours, you may find yourself spending more overtime than you planned.
If it just transpires once or twice a month for one or two employees, it shouldn't be a problem. However, if it occurs frequently and for more than a few team members, the additional expense will begin to cut into your end result.
8. Clients Aren't Available
The adoption of a 9/80 schedule by an organization does not imply that all external agencies will fall into line.
This may result in clients and other firms (who work an 8-hour day) being unavailable during your extra hour at work. It's possible that your workers won't be occupied with responsibilities, resulting in income loss.
Operating Payroll for 9/80 Work Week
A standard pay period is Monday through Sunday through Saturday. Because a 9/80 work schedule spans two weeks, with 44 hours worked in the first week and 36 hours in the second, you should be cautious when calculating totals.
However, if you make an error, you may have to pay 4 hours of overtime in the first week. As previously noted, running payroll in a two-week timeframe is suggested.
Furthermore, in other areas, such as California, overtime is defined as any effort expended for more than eight hours in a day, so it might not be the best option for businesses there.
To ensure that you cover all of your bases, consult specialists such as your attorney, accountant, and HR management business partners before making such a change.
Moreover, you'll have to deal with vacation days and sick days in a new way. Unless it's a Friday, a sick day counts as nine hours. In terms of vacation, a Thursday counts as nine hours off, whereas a Friday counts as eight.
Don't forget about the holidays, either. On a Wednesday, Christmas lasts nine hours, whereas, on a Friday, it lasts eight.
Calculating overtime is quick and easy. Functioning more than nine hours each day, or more than 40 hours before Friday noon, should lead to overtime during the first week. The following week follows the same pattern.
Generating 9/80 Work Schedule
While constructing a 9/80 work schedule, you'll need to be extremely precise and rigorous with your scheduling. There isn't much opportunity for adjustment with this type of plan because it only functions because it's so well-balanced.
Employees may be entitled to benefits if they perform shorter or longer hours on individual days, even if they work the same amount of hours overall.
Start from the top of a pay cycle when establishing a 9/80 work plan. This will make payroll extremely easy because you'll be able to start over and set the proper workweek. Hold a meeting with your team to ensure that everyone is on the same track.
It's also necessary to keep in mind that individuals cannot modify their day off when implementing a 9/80 work plan. They will wind up working over 40 hours a week if they attempt to take a different day off. Things will happen gradually.
Here are five steps you can take to ease the transition to a more advanced way of working:
1. Define what you want to Accomplish with your Group
To get the entire employees’ team onboard, you'll need a lot of strategies and methods. Furthermore, it is necessary so that the entire team is aware of the goals and objectives that must be met.
To start implementing the 9/80 schedule at your company, do the following:
(i) Ensure that you have a comprehensive written plan in order.
It is critical to have a clear work policy as a business owner.
Moreover, it will assist you in ensuring that every employee comprehends the entire process, intricacies, and guidelines that must be followed while adhering to a tight deadline.
(ii) Assuring that the appropriate technological infrastructure is Ready
Ascertain that you have the necessary technology and services in place to make this shift possible. This can be accomplished by putting in place the appropriate work tools that provide personnel management solutions.
These tools aid in the formation of clearly defined goals, the encouragement of collaborations, and the tracking of production using tools and measures such as efficiency, time tracking, and so on.
(iii) Conducting Proper Training and Guidelines
It's critical to perform comprehensive training sessions and establish proper communication rules while executing an organizational-level change.
There should be no ambiguity in the training because it should cover all of the regulations and processes.
To improve communication and networking, you might employ a common technology infrastructure. Furthermore, to assist develop a positive corporate culture, you should collect regular employee input and address their problems.
2. Consider the Client's Impacts on the new Modification
Productivity and customer service degrade the greatest when working a 9/80 schedule.
The kind of business you have, industry trends, and customer obligations all factor into whether you can shut for the fifth day.
This is a topic that must be addressed head-on because it will have much further consequences for the success of your firm. It will also consider if a 9/80 schedule is feasible.
3. Examine The Legal Consequences Of Using A 9/80 Schedule
When enterprises switch to a 9/80 work pattern, local authorities ask them to notify them and adjust their weekly schedule.
Moreover, employers who want to switch to a 9/80 schedule must set up a specific workweek and work pattern that complies with federal and state overtime compensation laws, such as the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act.)
4. Understand Payroll Management For A 9/80 Schedule
For ease of calculation, start tracking work hours in two-week increments, comparable to the 9/80 compressed weekly schedule.
Moreover, pay is paid from Monday through Sunday for a 40-hour workweek (eight hours per day).
If your employee is paid by the hour or is a non-exempt employee who works more than 40 hours per week, you must compensate them for the extra hour they placed in.
5. Take a Quick Drive
A trial is a final step in implementing the 9/80 schedule. Moreover, a trial gives employees and management enough time to get used to the new structure.
It will give the organization the opportunity to assess the productivity impact of the 9/80 work pattern.
It could be able to dispel any doubts you have about the schedule's viability. This will enable you to come to a conclusion based on real-time statistics.
Sample of 9/80 Work Schedule
Following we have showcased the sample of the 9/80 work schedule for your reference. Have a look:
[Second Week Begins]
This is just one sample of a workweek spanning from 9 to 80 hours. Some businesses start the day at 7:00 a.m. and finish at 5:00 p.m.
Regardless of the hours, there will always be a 9/80 schedule because each weekday demands nine hours of work.
Successful Examples of 9/80 Work Schedule
Thousands of businesses, large and small, all over the world have implemented the 9/80 work strategy and have experienced both sides of the coin. Despite this, the majority of their experiences have been excellent and advisable.
Following are some significant corporations that have successfully met the goals of the 9/80 work schedule. Let’s check:
1. Microsoft Japan
Microsoft Japan was one of the early adopters of the 9/80 work schedule, as well as one of its most vocal proponents.
Moreover, their response on the 9/80 work schedule provides us with hitherto unseen information. They said that by implementing the new schedules, which have individuals working for nine days instead of ten days on a bi-weekly basis.
As a result, they were able to increase their output by over 40%. They also claimed a 23 percent reduction in electricity use and a 60 percent reduction in printing paper consumption.
2. Perpetual Guardian
A New Zealand-based trust management firm, Perpetual Guardian, recently announced that after implementing the 9/80 work schedule, staff productivity increased by 20% and work-life balance enhanced by 45 percent.
3. Raytheon Company
According to the website of the organization:
“Innovation, creativity, and flexibility are important in order for Raytheon to be able to respond effectively to challenging business needs.”
“Raytheon also recognizes the importance of workplace flexibility for its employees. Raytheon supports a variety of flexible work arrangements including compressed work weeks, flexitime, job sharing, reduced hours, and telecommuting. The particular flexibility options will vary depending upon the type of work performed and the work location.”
The Raytheon Company, a prominent US defense contractor that manufactures weaponry, military, and commercial electronics, is one of those companies that has effectively implemented a 9/80 work schedule. They are doing an excellent job of maintaining a healthy work environment and guaranteeing employee work-life equilibrium.
Overtime Associated with 9/80 Work Schedule
You must pay overtime to employees who work more than 40 hours each week. This is an important issue to consider while establishing a 9/80 Work Schedule.
On a Friday, make sure the formal workweek begins and concludes four hours into the eight-hour workday. Any consecutive series of 7 x 24 hour days is referred to as a workweek.
In most cases, an employer can begin and conclude a workweek on any day of the week.
On the other hand, a 9/80 schedule needs to start at noon on Friday. If the workweek is appropriately established, the employee will not be required to work overtime.
Using an online time clock app is the most efficient way to compute employee time and stick to a 9/80 schedule. It offers accessibility freedom to employees to track their work shifts with just a click button on their smartphones.
Moreover, employees will now be able to see their full workweek at a touch, ensuring that they stay on schedule.
Can a 9/80 Schedule Work for your Organization?
Whether or not your organization would profit from a more flexible 9/80 work schedule depends on—whether or not your business or working sector can—operate outside of the standard 9 to 5 working day.
Furthermore, firms give their staff a concentrated work week. Then a more relaxing week with a 9/80 schedule could provide your firm with a number of practical benefits. Performance gains management and employee loyalty are also part of the plan.
Delivering flexible working schedules may not be appropriate if you own a business that only works during the working day, such as a salon, shops, and more.
Flexible working allows you to do any work you want. It's a concept that few businesses can afford to ignore if they want to hire and maintain great personnel and stay competitive.
It is, without a doubt, attributable to tremendous improvements in telecommuting technology and altering work practices.
How Deskera Can Assist You?
Deskera, an accounting software, is the ideal way to plan when your employees will work, regardless of whether you choose the 9/80 work schedule pattern or not.
As a business, you must be diligent with employee leave management. Deskera People allows you to conveniently manage leave, attendance, payroll, and other expenses. Generating payslips for your employees is now easy as the platform also digitizes and automates HR processes.
Final Takeaways
As you have finally reached the end of the article, we have covered some crucial points for your future reference. Let’s cover:
- A 9/80 work schedule is a compressed work schedule that is followed by a bi-weekly plan. Employees are required to work 80 hours every two weeks, with an additional holiday every second week.
- The objective of the 9/80 work schedule is to significantly boost engagement and productivity while also providing a better work-life balance.
- Having an extra day off every other week as a bonus provides immediate enjoyment, which leads to increased enthusiasm about everyday job responsibilities.
- Companies divide the day into two parts for payroll: the first four hours are used for week one, and the second four hours are used for week two.
- Having an extra day off every other week as a bonus provides immediate enjoyment, which leads to increased enthusiasm about everyday job responsibilities.
- An additional hour of work per day increases an individual's chances of completing assignments that they started the day before.
- A bi-weekly method allows you to take an extra day off, giving you a total of 26 days off per year.
- Employers who want to switch to a 9/80 schedule must set up a specific workweek and work pattern that complies with federal and state overtime compensation laws, such as the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act.)
- Employees may be entitled to benefits if they perform shorter or longer hours on individual days, even if they work the same amount of hours overall.
- Using an online time clock app is the most efficient way to compute employee time and stick to a 9/80 schedule. It offers accessibility freedom to employees to track their work shifts with just a click button on their smartphones.
- For ease of calculation, start tracking work hours in two-week increments, comparable to the 9/80 compressed weekly schedule.
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