A compressed work arrangement allows employees to complete a standard 80-hour work week in nine days rather than the typical ten. This is generally structured around working eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day, with one day off during a two-week period. For instance, an employee might work four 9-hour days, followed by an 8-hour day and then have a Friday off, and then repeat the pattern the following week.
The adoption of such a schedule can result in improved employee morale due to increased flexibility and longer weekends. Organizations may also experience benefits such as reduced operational costs from facility use during the additional day off, and potentially increased productivity as employees feel more rested and satisfied. Historically, variations of compressed workweeks have been implemented across diverse industries to address issues ranging from employee burnout to energy conservation.