9/80 schedule

What does 9/80 mean?

A 9/80 work schedule is a work arrangement that allows employees to work 80 hours over nine days instead of the standard ten, resulting in one extra day off every two weeks.

This compressed schedule typically involves working eight nine-hour days and one eight-hour day (usually split between two workweeks), followed by a regular day off (often a Friday).

For example, on week one:

• Your employee works nine hours per day Monday to Thursday, and eight hours on Friday.

Then, on week two:

• They work nine hours per day Monday to Thursday, and have Friday off.

This setup preserves the standard 40-hour workweek under US wage and hour laws, making it compliant for exempt employees and, if implemented carefully, for non-exempt employees as well.

Why does it matter for employers?

By offering employees more flexibility (without reducing total work hours), a 9/80 schedule can help companies enhance work-life balance, boost productivity, and reduce absenteeism. It can also serve as a recruitment and retention tool, especially in competitive industries or among knowledge workers who value flexible scheduling.

However, employers must consider:

• Overtime compliance for non-exempt (hourly) employees under the Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA), ensuring weekly overtime thresholds aren’t triggered.
• Time-tracking systems that correctly split hours between workweeks.
• Operational coverage, especially if teams need to be staffed continuously.

As a result, clear policies, proper payroll setup, and transparent communication are essential for successful implementation.

How can Remote help?

Remote supports flexible work arrangements like the 9/80 schedule for distributed teams, and can help ensure that you remain compliant with local labour laws. Our self-serve time-tracking system also makes it easy for you and your people to stay on top of working hours. Learn more.