what does compressed working hours mean

What Is a Compressed Work Schedule?

• Definition. A compressed schedule, sometimes called a flex schedule, increases an employee's number of daily hours without changing the total number of hours weekly.
• Types. The common configuration of a 40-hour weekly compressed schedule is four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days.
• Benefits. ...
• Warning. ...
• Fun Fact. ...

Full Answer

What are compressed hours and how do they work?

Compressed hours are a type of flexible working where you increase the amount you work each day so you can reduce the number of days you work in a given period or take a days holiday in lieu. Typically people will work a four day week or a nine-day fortnight but there are many variations if your employer supports them.

What is a compressed workweek?

A compressed workweek is an alternative schedule for working that reduces a standard five-day workweek to fewer number of days. Employees accomplish the full number of required weekly hours by working longer days. The most popular choices in a compressed workweek are five 9-hour days the first week, and then a week of four 9-hours days.

How do you calculate 4 day compressed hours?

Compressed hours are calculated by dividing the amount of time you must work by the reduced number of days you plan to work. For example, if you work 40 hours a week and want to work a four-day compressed week, its 40 / 4 = 10 hours per day.

Why do employees prefer a compressed work schedule?

Not having to drive or take public transportation an extra day of the week may be especially appealing to some staff. Key takeaway: An extra day off, better work-life balance and not having to spend as much time commuting are among the reasons employees prefer a compressed work schedule. Do some employees dislike compressed work schedules? Yes.

What is compressed hours?

Why are compressed hours useful?

What to do when you receive a compressed request?

Can you compress working days into 4?

Is compressed hours flexible?

What does it mean to work compressed hours?

What are compressed hours? Staff working compressed hours work their total contracted hours over fewer working days. For example, a full-time staff member could work 36.5 hours over 4.5 days or a 9 day fortnight rather than 5 days.

Are compressed hours better?

Advantages of Compressed Hours In the case of a 4/10 schedule, employees spend less time commuting and overall have more free time to recharge, improving their work-life balance. This results in improved employee wellbeing and engagement as well as increased commitment and productivity.

Is a compressed work week better?

A compressed work schedule allows employees to work a full 40-hour week in fewer than the typical five days. A shorter workweek can help increase productivity and give employees more personal time.

Which of the following is an example of a compressed work week?

Here are a few examples of a compressed workweek outside of the typical 40-hour workweek: Four 10-hour days to have an extra day off weekly. Eight nine-hour days, giving an extra day every other week. Three 12-hour days, providing a four-day weekend.

Is it better to work 4 10 hour days or 5 8-hour days?

The math is simple: working five eight-hour shifts is equivalent to working four 10-hour shifts. That's true. But the implications of these schedules are different. The danger is in disregarding the health effects that can occur as a result of fatigue and stress that accumulate over a longer-than-normal working day.

How do you calculate compressed hours?

How do you calculate compressed hours? Compressed hours are calculated by dividing the amount of time you must work by the reduced number of days you plan to work. For example, if you work 40 hours a week and want to work a four-day compressed week, its 40 / 4 = 10 hours per day.

Are 10 hour workdays healthy?

An employee working 10-hour workdays is more susceptible to feeling overworked and fatigued. Employees without the proper level of energy or those suffering from mental health disorders may struggle to complete the necessary job responsibilities. This, in turn, will lead to lower productivity in the workplace.

Should I work 3 or 4 days a week?

Having a schedule where you work three days per week and have four days off may improve your work-life balance. Whether you work part time with shorter shifts or sign up for extended shifts to maintain a full-time schedule, having frequent days off can provide you with time to relax and decompress from your workday.

What is the 5 4 9 work schedule?

There are several ways in which a compressed schedule can work. The two most common are: 5-4/9 in which you work 8 9-hour days and 1 8-hour day in the pay period and get an extra day off. 4-10 in which you work 4 10-hour days each week of the pay period and have an extra day of each week.

How do I manage a compressed work week?

(1) Compressed work week, where the normal work week is reduced to less than six (6) days, but the total number of work hours of 48 hours per week shall remain. In this arrangement, the normal work day is extended to more than eight (8) hours, but should not exceed 12 hours, without corresponding overtime premium.

What are the best work hours?

As well, there are also studies saying that companies that impose their employees daily working hours are also less productive. In the end, scientists generally agree that the ideal daily working time is around 6 hours, and more concentrated in the morning.

Is 4 day work week better?

4-Day Workweek Boosted Workers' Productivity By 40%, Microsoft Japan Says. "There are many people who are spending more time at the office than they need to," says Juliet Schor, an economist and sociology professor at Boston College.

Does compressed hours affect annual leave?

When an employee works compressed hours, then their annual leave is calculated in hours rather than days. When one of their usual working days falls on a bank holiday, their usual number of hours for that day will be deducted from their annual leave entitlement.

What are the best work hours?

As well, there are also studies saying that companies that impose their employees daily working hours are also less productive. In the end, scientists generally agree that the ideal daily working time is around 6 hours, and more concentrated in the morning.

What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of a compressed work week?

Advantages and disadvantages of a compressed work weekAn additional day off affords employees a better work/life balance.The employee keeps full pay and benefits.Reduced commuting time and costs.Fewer interruptions and higher productivity in non-regular office hours.More items...

How do employers benefit from compressed workweeks?

Compressed work schedules provide a number of benefits to the employer, including a boost in employee morale, higher levels of productivity, operational cost savings, a reduction in employee absenteeism and tardiness, and reduced employee turnover. It also helps highlight the employer's commitment to sustainability.

Compressed Work Schedule Examples – Flexible Work

Exempt Employees (not overtime eligible) have flexibility when it comes to creating a Compressed work schedule.Non-exempt Employees (overtime eligible) have to keep in mind that they incur overtime in any week in which they work more than 40 hours.. Scenario 1 —Permits the exempt employee to have one non-work day every two weeks. Week 1: Work five 9-hour days (45 hours total)

Compressed hours and BH entitlement — MoneySavingExpert Forum

No, you don't have to do anything. You don't have to use your hours to cover the bank holiday. But you have already been given the hours in your bank holiday entitlement so practically it works out that you can use those hours on another occasion as you don't need to use them for that bank holiday.

I don't work Mondays. Will I miss out on bank holidays?

You should not miss out on bank holidays. Under the Working Time Regulations, you are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ holiday a year based on your normal working week, irrespective of your normal working days. Even if your employer provides 5.6 weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays (in other words, going beyond the statutory minimum), it is against the law to treat part-time workers less

How to calculate holiday entitlement for workers on different types of ...

2.2 Hours per week/compressed hours. Where workers work a fixed number of hours each week but not the same number of hours each day, the legislation does not state exactly how to incorporate the ...

Condensed hours and Bank Holiday Entitlement | HRZone

Thanks for the reply Peter. What I forgot to mention is that 35 hours per week equates to our full time contract and as such the employee is not part time in hours worked but working on a full time contract over 4 days per week.

Pros and Cons of a Compressed Work Schedule - Business News Daily

A compressed work schedule lets employees work a 40-hour week in fewer days than the usual five, possibly increasing productivity. Learn how it works.

How do compressed hours work?

Compressed hours, just like it sounds, compress the number of hours you need to work over a period of time, say a week, into fewer days. The period can be what you choose; it may be a week, every other week, or a month. The shorter the time between days off will impact how much more you will have to work each day to make up the time. Some companies may support a specific schedule, like a nine-day fortnight, but in general, most companies allow you to accrue the hours to use how best works for you.

What is compressed hours?

Compressed hours are a type of flexible working where you increase the amount you work each day so you can reduce the number of days you work in a given period or take a days holiday in lieu. Typically people will work a four day week or a nine-day fortnight but there are many variations if your employer supports them.

What do compressed hours mean for holiday entitlement?

For most people it’s simple, you are entitled to the same amount of holidays as any other full-time employee if you are working the same amount of time. The fact you are in the workplace less total days should not make a difference to the amount of holiday or vacation days you receive.

How to calculate compressed hours?

Compressed hours are calculated by dividing the amount of time you must work by the reduced number of days you plan to work. For example, if you work 40 hours a week and want to work a four-day compressed week, its 40 / 4 = 10 hours per day. For a nine-day fortnight it would be 40 x 2 = 80 (gives your fortnightly hours) then 80 / 9 = 8 hours 53 minutes.

How many hours are in a nine day fortnight?

The amount of hours in a nine day fortnight depends on how many hours you are contracted to work each week. If you work a 35 hour week, you must do 70 hours in a fortnight (35 x 2). To work out your nine day fortnight you just need to divide your hours over nine days, so that could be 7 days of 8 hours and 2 days of 7 hours. Or it could be 9 days of 7 hours 47 mins.

How many hours does Claire work?

Claire works full-time on a 35 hours a week contract and is looking to work four days a week. By increasing her working day by 1 hour and 45 minutes each day she is able to take every fifth day off.

Why is working less days better?

Working fewer days reduces the amount you have to commute which has been shown to have positive health and well-being impacts as well as costing less.

How many hours does a compressed work schedule take?

Key takeaway: A compressed work schedule is when employees work a complete week, typically 40 hours, in fewer than the traditional five days.

What is a compressed work schedule?

A compressed work schedule is one where employees maintain a full-time schedule (which adds up to 80 hours over two weeks) but in a fewer number of days than five days (or an otherwise nontraditional arrangement).

Why is a compressed workweek important?

More free time: Whether through a 4/10 or 9/80 schedule, a compressed workweek allows employees to enjoy more time off to recharge.

How does a compressed work schedule help employees?

One perk that may help attract and keep top talent is the flexibility to work a compressed work schedule. A compressed work schedule allows employees to work a full 40-hour week in fewer days than a five-day schedule. A shorter workweek can help increase productivity and give employees more personal time. Implementation varies from company ...

Why is a shorter workweek better?

A shorter workweek can help increase productivity and give employees more personal time. Implementation varies from company to company, and even from department to department. This article is for small business owners who are considering implementing a compressed work schedule. Attracting and retaining top talent is a major concern ...

How long is a 4/10 compressed schedule?

Key takeaway: The 4/10 compressed work schedule shortens each workweek to four days.

Why do employees prefer a compressed schedule?

Key takeaway: An extra day off, better work-life balance and not having to spend as much time commuting are among the reasons employees prefer a compressed work schedule.

How many hours are required for a compressed workweek?

The most popular choices in a compressed workweek are five 9-hour days the first week, and then a week of four 9-hours days. Other options include three 12-hour days or four 10-hour days.

Why is a compressed workweek better?

Applying a compressed workweek is easier with non-exempt staff where maximum work hours are recognized. This is an attractive strategy for workers who want more flexible work schedules and are fine building extra hours into their workday.

Why is compressed work schedule important?

Compressed work schedules are a growing trend as companies attempt to cut cost in new areas, such as lighting, heating and cooling costs . Compressed schedules allow employees the same number of full-time hours in fewer work days.

What is compressed schedule?

Definition. A compressed schedule, sometimes called a flex schedule, increases an employee's number of daily hours without changing the total number of hours weekly. This usually results in an additional day off for the employee.

Why did states create compressed work schedules?

Many state governments were among the first workplaces to institute compressed work schedules in order to cut taxpayer costs.

How many days are 40 hours?

The common configuration of a 40-hour weekly compressed schedule is four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days. Another variation allows alternating weeks of five 9-hour days and four 9-hour days, allowing the employee an extra day off every other week. Three 12-hour days is also an option for some companies.

What does compressed hours mean?

Compressed Hours Meaning. Employees who work compressed hours work their total contracted hours over fewer working days. So, for example, instead of working a full working week they may choose to work four 10-hour days (Monday to Thursday) then take a three-day weekend.

What happens if you work too long?

If not well-managed, longer working hours might result in fatigue and decreased productivity.

Why is MRL consulting 4 days a week?

The UK recruitment company MRL Consulting moved to a four-day working week in 2019. The aim was to improve wellness and reduce stress. The company saw an increase in productivity and a reduced number of absences. Staff retention rose to 95%, productivity increased by 25% and short-term absences reduced by 40%.

Why do businesses use 4 day week?

They believe this is because it increases staff productivity and physical and mental health, resulting in fewer sick days.

How long can an employee work for the same employer?

The only requirement is that they have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks. Employers reserve the right to reject requests if they feel it would negatively impact business and operations.

When will flexible hours start in 2021?

January 25, 2021. Flexible working solutions, such as compressed hours, flexitime and remote working, are becoming a growing trend. Although a number of companies have been following working practices such as these for a while now, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has forced many more to re-assess how their employees work.

Can restructuring the working week cause disruption?

Restructuring the working week might cause disruption in the office, especially if you don’t have a clear system for keeping track of when your teams will be working.

How many hours are in a compressed workweek?

Here are a few examples of a compressed workweek outside of the typical 40-hour workweek. Four 10-hour days to have an extra day off weekly. Eight nine-hour days giving an extra day every other week. Three 12-hour days providing a four-day weekend. Additionally, compressed workweeks may allow other flexible work options to meet ...

What is a compressed workweek?

Compressed workweeks can take on many forms, but it ultimately means working longer hours and fewer days per period.

Is compressed workweek flexible?

Compressed workweeks are not necessarily the right flexible schedule for everyone. Given the longer hours in fewer days, conflict could arise with other daily activities. However, a compressed workweek is a great flexible option if you are looking for an extra day off to meet personal obligations and are able to meet the demands ...

How to succeed with a compressed work week?

Tips for succeeding with a compressed work week. In practice, pulling off a compressed workweek means working smarter , and, yes, working harder – getting through those two extra hours isn’t as easy as it sounds. You’ll need the right combination of prioritization, time management, and pacing.

What to do if your workweek is compressed?

If a compressed workweek doesn’t turn out to be the schedule of your dreams, give yourself permission to honor that and go back to a standard workweek. Better to try, fail, and learn something than to never step out of your comfort zone. Subscribe to Work Life.

How many hours does Perpetual Guardian work?

A handful of pioneering companies like Perpetual Guardian, a New Zealand financial services firm, even standardize on a 32-hour week without any reduction in pay. They point to research showing that many workers are able to deliver on a full workload in fewer hours by cutting down on low-value tasks and water cooler chit-chat. (My own team here at Atlassian tried it for two months and we found this to be true!)

What are the pros and cons of a 4 day schedule?

Pros and cons associated with a 4-day schedule. An extra day off each week, with no reduction in pay. Powering through longer days may not be as easy as it looks. Less time spent commuting, especially if the longer days mean you’ll be commuting outside peak hours.

Is a compressed workweek good for everyone?

However, a compressed workweek isn’t a great fit for everyone. To succeed with this schedule, you’ll need to start with a little soul-searching, follow up with a persuasive proposal to your boss, and then work like you’ve never worked before – a combination of working smarter and working harder.

Is a four day workweek a compressed workweek?

Switching to a four-day work schedule, often referred to as a “compressed workweek,” is one way to do it. And in case you haven’t noticed, four-day workweeks are a hot topic lately. As workers of all stripes report ever-higher rates of burnout and employers grapple with The Great Resignation, both groups are looking at non-traditional schedules with keen interest.

Is a compressed workweek right for you?

(This is known as a “4×10 schedule.”) Determining whether it can work for you is partly about your job role , partly about who you are and your lifestyle .

What is compressed hours?

Compressed working hours is a type of flexible working arrangement, that allows employees to compress their regular normal working week into fewer days. For example, someone working a regular 9-5, Monday-Friday working week could ask to work only Monday-Thursday, but start their day earlier and finish later in order to make up their total number ...

Why are compressed hours useful?

From an employees point of view, compressed hours represent a great solution for people who want to combine their day job with another project – that could mean higher education, for example, or their own ‘side-project’ business idea.

What to do when you receive a compressed request?

If you receive a request for compressed working hours, then it’s worth talking to that person making the request to learn more about what they’re trying to achieve. If it’s something you think can be done without overly affecting the business, then give their request some thought.

Can you compress working days into 4?

There is no single way of using compressed hours – compressing five working days into four is only one example of how it can work. An employee can request to rearrange their hours in all kinds of ways. An employee could stay an hour later every day, for example, in order to leave after lunch on Wednesdays.

Is compressed hours flexible?

Compressed working hours are just one type of what is called flexible working practices (you can read our full guide to the many types of flexible working by clicking the link). As of 2014, the right to request flexible working practices become protected under UK employment law.

Compressed Hours Meaning

• Compressed hours, just like it sounds, compress the number of hours you need to work over a period of time, say a week, into fewer days. The period can be what you choose; it may be a week, every other week, or a month. The shorter the time between days off will impact how much more you will have to work each day to make up the time. Some companies...

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