Work has changed dramatically in the last few years. Thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, how people and companies approach work today is much different than it was even five years ago.

Work-life balance is a big catchphrase in business, and it’s guiding how companies design their workweeks for employees. Many companies are offering flexible work schedules and remote work options, while others are sticking to the typical 9-to-5.

One new work schedule option that has gained traction in recent years is called the 9/80 Work Schedule. Some employees and companies prefer this change-of-pace, believing it brings many benefits to everyone involved.

Is this something that’s right for your company? Below, we discuss some of the pros and cons of implementing a 9/80 Work Schedule.

What is a 9/80 Work Schedule?

In the typical 9-to-5 work schedule, employees work eight hours per day, five days per week. This could be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or some other arrangement of eight-hour day for the five weekdays.

What the 9/80 Work Schedule seeks to do is change that up a bit to give employees a three-day weekend every other week. This is accomplished by increasing the work schedule by one hour for four days each week.

In a typical 9/80 Work Schedule, employees will work nine hours on Mondays through Thursdays, eight hours on the first Friday of the two-week grouping, and then have off on the second Friday.

This two-week schedule would look like this …

Week 1: Monday through Thursday, nine hours each day
Week 1: Friday eight hours
Week 2: Monday through Thursday, nine hours each day
Week 2: Friday off

This two-week schedule effectively continues to repeat itself, ensuring that everyone has a three-day weekend every other week. The schedule can be flexible, too, with one group of employees having Fridays off in Week 1 and another group having Fridays off in Week 2, for instance.

Arranging the schedule this way ensures that employees still work their normal 80 hours over a two-week period while gaining an extra day off.

Pros of Implementing a 9/80 Work Schedule

There are a lot of benefits of implementing a 9/80 Work Schedule, which is why some companies are instituting it. These include:

Work-life balance: As mentioned earlier, work-life balance is a major concern for employees and employers alike. Giving employees one extra day off from work every other week allows them to focus on themselves more while not cutting back on productivity.
Fewer interruptions: Since this extra off day is baked into the regular schedule, individual departments and companies as a whole are better able to make adjustments to people not being in the office. This causes fewer interruptions, which helps to improve employee morale and well-being at the office.
More flexibility: This extra day off adds a lot of flexibility for employees. They can enjoy the day off to do something fun, arrange regular chores and doctor’s appointments, or do anything else that they want.
Increased productivity: When employees are happier at the office, they’re more productive. Many companies have reported that with the extra day off, employees feel more valued and more content, which leads to them being happier.

Cons of Implementing a 9/80 Work Schedule

At the same time, there are some possible drawbacks of the 9/80 Work Schedule, which is why it hasn’t been implemented across the board at every organization. Some of these include:

Longer workday: While having an extra day off every other week is certainly nice, it does require employees to work longer for eight of the 10 workdays over the two-week period. This could actually disrupt an employee’s mental peace because they might have less time to spend with family and friends.
Schedule disruptions: Along the same lines, employees may not like working the extra hours because it could cause major disruptions in their own out-of-work schedules. Some employees may find it tougher to attend medical appointments before or after work hours, or they might have trouble finding daycare for their children. This all could ultimately result in lower morale and less productivity.
Staffing issues: Depending on the makeup of the company, a 9/80 Work Schedule may create staffing issues. It might be hard for your company to arrange adequate coverage for all the employees who will be off that extra day, which could cause major disruptions.

Beckham Ellis Insurance Group Can Offer Insights

Many companies today are open to the possibility that the normal in-office, 9-to-5 work schedule may not be the best for them and their employees. The 9/80 Work Schedule is one example of what some companies are doing to try to improve the work-life balance for their employees while not sacrificing productivity.

While there are some major advantages of the 9/80 Work Schedule, there are some drawbacks, too.

At Beckham Ellis Insurance Group, we can help you determine whether this schedule — or some other flexible schedule — would be best for you and your employees. We can also help you create a well-rounded benefits package that takes care of your employees.

For more information, please contact us today.