9/80 work schedule: Nine-hour workdays offer three-day weekends to workers
VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES — As workplaces evolve, the 9/80 work schedule is gaining traction as a potential alternative to the traditional 40-hour, five-day workweek.
Popularized in industries seeking to enhance flexibility and work-life balance, this system allows employees to work 80 hours across nine days, earning a three-day weekend every other week.
Jamie Miller, CEO of CPR Certification Plus, highlights its benefits: “The additional time off lets employees rest, engage in hobbies, or run errands, resulting in more satisfied and engaged employees.”
Companies like hers also note improvements in productivity and recruitment, as longer workdays enable uninterrupted project focus and attract job seekers valuing flexibility.
Benefits and challenges of the 9/80 model
Key advantages include better work-life balance, reduced commuting costs, and environmental benefits. For employees, longer weekends provide more time for personal pursuits, while employers can extend daily operational hours to better serve clients. However, challenges persist. Longer nine-hour days can exhaust some employees, while businesses may struggle with coverage on alternating Fridays.
Beni Avni, founder of New York Gates, experienced these difficulties firsthand: “The extended shifts led to fatigue and errors, and coordinating off-days disrupted our ability to provide consistent service.”
Finding the right fit
While companies like Waste Direct and Mentalyc thrive under this model, others, such as New York Gates, reverted to traditional schedules after facing logistical hurdles.
As Mentalyc CEO Maria Szandrach puts it, “The 9/80 schedule promotes balance by offering a structure that encourages productivity and rest, but ensuring client support on off-days requires careful planning.”
Ultimately, the 9/80 schedule may not suit every industry or employee, but for organizations willing to adapt, it offers a promising path toward greater flexibility and satisfaction in the workplace.
