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9/80 Work Schedule
With the modernization of workplaces and globalization of businesses around the world, working schedules have undergone several major changes over the years. From the popular nine-to-five work hours, employers now have other options to offer to their employees. The 9/80 Work Schedule is one such option. This type of work schedule provides an alternative to the traditional 9-5 time-stamp amounting to the standard 40 working hours that have been the norm since the 1920s.
Modern workplaces that mind the wellbeing of the employees and offer greater flexibility without affecting the overall productivity are willing to try alternative work schedules like the 9/80 work schedule. However, these schedules are not suitable for every business, they must be chosen by analyzing the benefits and challenges of their implementation.
What is a 9/80 Work Schedule?
In a 9/80 work schedule, employees work for an additional hour four days a week instead of the usual eight hours work for five days over a two-week period. If the normal workdays are Monday-to-Friday, in the 9/80 work time frame this will mean that employees get a 3-day weekend off every other week. This work schedule aims to fulfill 80 working hours in 9 days, hence leading to the nomenclature of 9/80.
The main objective of a 9/80 work schedule is to increase the productivity of the employees by giving them better flexibility to manage their work and life. Especially, in the modern era, work-life balance has become a priority for everyone. Both employers and the employees sometimes struggle to keep the scales from tipping on each end. Flexible working hours offer a chance for them to manage their daily life better so that they can work towards achieving a good balance between work and personal life.
Example of a 9/80 Work Schedule
Assuming that the workplace has a five-day workweek, the 9/80 work schedule will be as follows:
Week 1
Monday: 9 hours
Tuesday: 9 hours
Wednesday: 9 hours
Thursday: 9 hours
Friday: 4 hours (end of the first week) + 4 hours (start of the second week) Saturday and Sunday off (weekend)
Week 2
Monday: 9 hours
Tuesday: 9 hours
Wednesday: 9 hours
Thursday: 9 hours Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off (3-day weekend)
Calculating the hours over a 9-day period sums up to a total of 80 working hours.
From the above example, we can observe that employers are asking their employees to add an extra one hour every week for four consecutive days but providing a 3-day weekend off every other week. This is just one format of the 9/80 work schedule; employers can adjust these schedules depending on their requirements.
Pros of 9/80 Work Schedule
Organizations and business enterprises who want to implement the 9/80 work schedule can benefit tremendously by providing their employees a chance to receive two long weekends every month. Here are some major advantages of the 9/80 work schedule:
Better Work-Life Balance
This is one of the best advantages of the 9/80 work schedule. By giving the employees an extra day off every other week, employers are focusing on the welfare of their employees’ personal life without sacrificing the work that needs to be completed.
Lesser Professional Interruptions
Employees can use the extra days to travel or go for a mini-vacation with their family and friends. This will help them de-stress and allow them to start their workweek with a stress-free mind.
Increased Flexibility
Employers can take advantage of the flexibility that the 9/80 work schedule offers in adjusting the tasks for employees within the working hours. This will help both the employees and the employers to complete tasks on schedule.
Greater Productivity
The flexibility offered by the 9/80 work schedule can help employers increase the overall productivity of their organizations. The employees will contribute more to productivity as they feel energized and confident in completing the tasks on hand.
Despite the various benefits offered by the 9/80 work schedule, critics argue about some of the challenges faced by organizations implementing this modern work schedule. These challenges are discussed in detail in the next section.
Cons of 9/80 Work Schedule
Some of the most common disadvantages of the 9/80 work schedule are as follows:
Not suitable for all Organizations
The 9/80 work schedule offers many benefits; however, it is not suitable for all enterprises. Some employees are productive in a crowded work environment, some prosper in the quiet. Thus, before implementing the 9/80 work schedule, employers need to assess the situation and consult the employees.
Long Workday
Working nine hours every day, four days a week can be exhausting for the employees. They will have less time to spend with their family, as a result, it might affect their mental peace.
Gaps in Staffing
Enterprises operating with less staff will not find the 9/80 work schedule beneficial as there will not be enough staff to cover all the shifts to keep the business running.
Problems with Focus and Productivity
Some employees peak during mid-day hours, and some prefer quiet hours to get more work done. This difference will make employees lose focus on their work and affect the productivity of the workers.
The 9/80 schedule can still prove to be effective for most business enterprises and organizations. By adjusting the work, consulting the staff and workers, reviewing the impacts on business and productivity this work schedule can be implemented to increase productivity.
Conclusion
Therefore, we can conclude that the pros of a 9/80 Work Schedule are far more than the cons. If implemented in a proper manner this can increase the productivity of the employees and the organizations. It can lead to a better work environment and a prosperous work culture in general. Communicating with the employees will prove the effectiveness of this work schedule in a positive way.
