
- 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.
- Compressed work schedule implementation varies by company and even department.
How does holiday pay work on a compressed schedule?
- the District of Columbia;
- Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland;
- Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia; and
- the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax in Virginia.
What are the best hours to work?
- D'Youville College in Buffalo, New York is trying a 32-hour workweek for the next six months.
- The new policy impacts about 140 staff members, who will have no reduction in pay or benefits.
- D'Youville president Lorrie Clemo said that she hopes the shorter week will bring in high-quality workers who want balance.
What is an example of a compressed work week?
An example of a common compressed workweek is a four-day week in which you work ten hours per day. Other options include working four days one week and five days on alternate weeks. There are many types of compressed workweek schedules, depending on your industry and employer.
What is a typical work schedule?
- The average work day differs vastly worldwide: Printerland.co.uk examined the daily habits of office workers around the world.
- Employees based in Nigeria, Cameroon, and South Korea endure 12-hour daily shifts.
- British staff work shorter hours and days than the majority of Europe.

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.
What is the meaning of 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.
How do compressed hours work?
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) and then take a three-day weekend.
What are the advantages and the disadvantages of a compressed work week?
Pros and cons associated with a 4-day scheduleBenefitsDisadvantagesUsing the extra time off for appointments and errands means you'll be more focused and productive during your work hours.You'll need to coordinate closely with teammates to ensure work isn't at a stand-still on the days you're off.2 more rows•Jan 12, 2022
Is compressed hours part time?
The first thing to remember is that, for example, a full-time employee working compressed hours is working the same hours as a full-time employee who is on a full week. They are therefore entitled to the same holiday entitlement, not a pro rata of the standard hours equivalent – this is not part time working!
What is the difference between flexible scheduling and compressed scheduling?
A compressed work schedule is a fixed schedule that has no flexibility. A flexible work schedule is a schedule consisting of workdays with core hours and flexible hours.
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.
What is a compressed fortnight?
A compressed working schedule allows an employee to work longer hours on some days and meet their required weekly hours sooner. The employee can then take a day (or part-day) off with the time they have accrued. Common compressed working schedules include a 4-day week and a 9-day fortnight.
What is a 5 4 9 compressed work schedule?
5-4/9 CWS - a type of compressed work schedule in which an employee meets the 80-hour work requirement by working four 9-hour days and one 8-hour day during one workweek plus four 9-hour days and a day off during the alternate week, in addition to the established lunch period for the Office.
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.
How 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.
How many hours is a 37.5 hour work week?
Most 9-5 weekday jobs are 37.5 hours - ie 40hrs minus a half hour break each day. So I'm guessing in a school the hours would be like 8-4:30 or something with a lunch hour and a morning break. Rep: ?
How can I work 35 hours over 4 days?
A four-day work week can be defined in two ways; the first is when an employee compresses their full-time hours (typically 35 hours) over a four-day period. And the second is reducing an employee's hours (typically to 28 hours) over four days, so they are then able to have a three-day weekend.
What hours do you work for a 9 day fortnight?
What is a nine day fortnight? Simply put, you work the same amount of hours, but condensed over nine days instead of 10. For example, instead of working 8am – 4pm, you work 8am – 4:45pm. Every other Friday is then your own lovely day off!
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).
Do some employees dislike compressed work schedules?
Yes. Some employees have obligations in their family life that make it difficult to work longer days. Additionally, some people prefer to work in shorter bursts rather than for long stretches.
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 ...
How to attract and retain top talent?
One perk that may help attract and keep top talent is the flexibility to work a compressed work schedule. 1 A compressed work schedule allows employees to work a full 40-hour week in fewer days than a five-day schedule. 2 A shorter workweek can help increase productivity and give employees more personal time. 3 Implementation varies from company to company, and even from department to department. 4 This article is for small business owners who are considering implementing a compressed work schedule.
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.
Disadvantages of a Compressed Work Week
Just like any other working schedule, a compressed workweek has its cons. These include:
How to Handle Vacations in a Compressed Work Week?
The primary reason many employees request a compressed workweek is to have more days away from work. The time out can be used for vacations and family trips. If an employee requests a compressed workweek, the manager should consider giving it to them as long as they can handle their responsibilities without affecting overall productivity.
Asking for a 4 day work week
If you are especially unhappy in your job, you could also ask your manager whether you would be open to dropping your hours (e.g. to 32 hours over 4 days). To achieve this, you would likely have to accept a 20% pay cut however.
What is AWS flexible schedule?
Within rules established by the agency, AWS can enable employees to have work schedules that help the employee balance work and family responsibilities. There are two categories of AWS: flexible work schedules (FWS) and compressed work schedules (CWS).
How many hours does a CWS work?
CWS are fixed work schedules, but they enable full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweek ly work requirement in less than 10 workdays.
What is holiday premium pay?
Holiday premium pay (equal to 100 percent of the rate of basic pay) is paid for nonovertime hours of work that fall within the hours regularly scheduled on the holiday.
Can you use credit hours in a CWS program?
Credit hours are not permitted under a CWS program. (See fact sheet on "Flexible Work Schedules.")
Can you be excused from work on a holiday?
On holidays, an employee is normally excused from work and entitled to basic pay for the number of hours of his or her CWS on that day. In the event the President issues an Executive order granting a "half-day" holiday, full-time CWS employees are normally excused from work during the last half of their "basic work requirement" (i.e., nonovertime hours) on that day.
Can you request compensatory time off?
Compensatory Time Off. An employee on a Compressed Work Schedule (CWS) may request compensatory time off only for the performance of irregular or occasional overtime work. Compensatory time off may not be approved for any member of the Senior Executive Service (SES).
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.
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.
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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 .
Why is 4 day work week important?
The 4-day work week has been proven time and time again to keep employees engaged and motivated with the promise of an extra day off. 4-day Flextime Work seeks to improve upon this by giving employees even greater autonomy over their day-to-day schedule. Rather than a standard 9-5, you’re free to choose the exact eight hours that you work so long as you get the work done. This ensures that work fits around your life rather than the other way around.
How many hours does a full time employee work?
Full-time employees work 36 hours per week rather than 40. Typically, the work day ends at lunch time on Friday to meet the allotted time. The opportunity here is to give people a compressed amount of time to work on Friday, then enjoy the afternoon off. Typically, Friday afternoons are the least productive time.
How many hours does a two week work week?
During a two-week period, the employee works 80 hours across nine days instead of ten. The plan is to spread eight hours of work, typically done on a Friday, across the other nine days in the period to earn an extra day off every other week. The most common way to do this is four nine-hour days followed by an eight-hour Friday. The next week is four nine-hour days followed by a Friday off.
How many days out of seven do you work?
People only work three days out of seven regardless of the amount of hours they put in during those days.
Why did John Maynard Keynes predict his grandchildren would work 15 hours a week?
In 1930, Economist John Maynard Keynes predicted his grandchildren would work 15-hour weeks due to advances in technology and productivity.
How many hours are in a four day week?
A four-day week technically could come with any amount of hours, but for this post we’re saying it is a 32 hours per week. You’ll find other four-day formats below with different hour amounts.
When did Ford start working?
On September 25, 1926 , Henry Ford announced his company would start working a five-day, forty-hour work week. The five-day work week was born and it was a breakthrough, clearly! It’s been friggin’ 95 years to the day and we’re still all doing it.
What is a 4/10 work schedule?
A 4/10 work schedule is a compressed schedule where employees work four 10-hour days within a week rather than five eight-hour days. While most workplaces using a 4/10 schedule opt to have their employees work Monday through Thursday with Friday through Sunday off, some prefer to give their employees a day off in the middle of the week. The exact work schedule depends on your organization's needs. Nevertheless, whether your employer is switching to a 4/10 schedule or you're starting a new job with this alternative schedule, you will still work a 40-hour week but on a compressed timeline.
How much time can you save by cutting out one workday per week?
Depending on how far away employees live, some might be able to save an hour or two of commuting by cutting out one workday per week.
What to do if your employer offers a compressed schedule?
If your employer offers a compressed schedule, you first need to take your personal needs into consideration to decide if a shift would benefit your work-life balance. If so, then your next step is to decide what type of compressed schedule is most effective for your working style. Many employers offer several compressed work schedules ...
What to do if your workdays are too long?
If your longer workdays start to interfere with your personal life, communicate with your employer to see if they can adjust your schedule based on your needs. If you work together, you may be able to come up with an alternative schedule to better fit your specific situation.
How many days a week do firefighters work?
This schedule gives employees two three-day weekends per month while still maintaining an 80-hour schedule over each two-week period. You may even choose to work a 3/12 schedule, where employees work three 12-hour days per week. This is more typical for people like firefighters and healthcare professionals.
Why is 4/10 considered atypical?
Due to the atypical nature of a 4/10 schedule, having extended working hours on a day-to-day basis may create some obstacles. For example, employees with children may face challenges with a 4/10 schedule because many childcare providers base their own hours on other businesses' normal operating hours. If your longer workdays start to interfere ...
Why do you have to take extra days off?
This means that, on a compressed schedule, you won't have to use your paid time off as often and can otherwise save your sick days and vacation leave for when you really need it.
