
While the standard 40-hour workweek, usually completed in five 8-hour days, is still widely used by most firms, a new schedule is beginning to gain popularity due to the numerous benefits it offers to employees.
As a result of the 9/80 schedule, an employee can accrue an extra day off every two weeks by working a complete 80 hours in nine days.
This method isn’t for everyone, but it does have some advantages for employees that make it worth considering in many businesses these days.
A 9/80 timetable will be explained in detail below so that you can see exactly how it works.
We’ll also go over the benefits and drawbacks of a 9/80 workweek so you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for your business.
Getting Started with a 9/80 Schedule

For two weeks, an employee on a regular schedule would put in 80 hours of work. Each week has five 8-hour days, resulting in two days off per week for the employee.
While the employee is still required to work 80 hours for two weeks, they are given an extra day off at the end of the second week, thanks to the 9/80 schedule.
Employees will have worked 44 hours in week one and 36 hours in week two, resulting in an additional day off on Friday at the end of the two weeks.
After a three-day weekend, the workweek begins again on Monday.
For the 9/80 schedule, remember that the first Friday of each month marks the end of one 40-hour week and the beginning of a new 40-hour week.
Moreover, the hours from 8 am to noon on that day should be assigned to the first week, and the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm on that day should be posted to the second week.
When it comes to the 9/80 schedule, it doesn’t matter if your employees work 7 am to 5 pm, or 7 am to 9 pm; the theory is still applicable to your organization.
Read More: Factors That Are Demotivating Employees
9/80 Work Schedule – Advantages

If you choose to implement a 9/80 schedule in your company, your employees may reap various benefits.
Enhanced Efficiency
An extra day off can boost morale among employees and motivate them to work more (and more productively) the rest of the week.
Employees may feel more satisfied with their jobs because they have more time to perform their work on the 9/80 schedule.
In the end, a happy staff leads to a more productive one. Employees may also want less time off since they may run errands on the extra day off.
Greater Harmony Between Work and Personal Life
Employees who get an extra day off can use it to pursue their hobbies or spend more time with their families.
When they’re not at work, workers will be able to run errands that aren’t possible under a traditional schedule since most physicians’ offices, school activities, and government institutions operate on weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm.
An Improved Commute
It is possible to alter a 9/80 timetable so that employees avoid the most congested periods of the commute.
In addition, employees will be free one less day every week. Because of the 9/80 schedule, employees have more free time and a better work-life balance.
Flexibility
Having an extra day off per week raises whether or not a company can afford it.
Companies can divide their staff so that half of the team has Friday off and the other half has a Monday off under the 9/80 timetable.
Due to this plan, all employees get a three-day weekend, and the employer doesn’t have to close for an extra day every two weeks.
9/80 Work Schedule – Disadvantages

If you’re going to implement a 9/80 schedule in your firm, there will be certain drawbacks.
Overwhelming Hours
A 9/80 schedule may offer a three-day weekend, but the lengthier workdays burden some employees.
As a result, individuals may be unable to give their best effort during the day or be more stressed and dissatisfied with their work.
Before implementing a 9/80 schedule, you should survey your staff to see how they feel about the shift in working hours.
Challenges of Working Late
To successfully implement the 9/80 system in your organization, you will need to overcome difficulties calculating overtime and paid leave.
Workers unfamiliar with the 9/80 workweek may wind up initiating additional projects and accruing overtime hours during the extra hour of work.
In the beginning, payroll might be challenging, resulting in overpayment or underpayment for overtime.
Decline in Productivity
While a 9/80 schedule can lead to an overall boost in office productivity, you may notice that employees struggle to stay on focus and complete responsibilities in the final hour of the day.
There are two possible explanations for this: either a lack of adaptability to the new schedule or tiredness due to the extended workday.
Problems in Scheduling Employees
Adopting a 9/80 schedule may be challenging for smaller companies and businesses that need to be open for most regular business hours.
Although there is some wiggle room for this, many organizations find the challenges of their employees’ schedules to be too severe for the 9/80 system to succeed.
Final Thoughts – Achieving a Balanced Work-Life Balance
Finally, the optimum schedule for your staff will allow them to have an elevated sense of job happiness and a higher level of output and enable you to manage your firm effectively.
For those who believe that a 9/80 work plan is the most incredible option for their company’s scheduling needs, it’s important to ask employees how they feel about the new schedule and ensure a smooth transition.
No matter what type of time structure your organization or business chooses to adopt, you will still need a motivated workforce to accomplish your goals.
Employee incentive and recognition platforms such as Bravo can assist your staff in achieving their goals.
Learn more about BRAVO by scheduling a demo now!