An alternative way of looking at scheduling can have big benefits.
I used to work a regular 8/40 schedule- 8+ hours a day 5 days week. The weekends are never long enough. The weeks are always long. Fridays are always exhausting. Then, COVID hit. Remember that? My spouse was suddenly homeschooling two elementary aged children in the middle of a global crisis. I needed more time to help or my family wasn’t going to make it.
How and why I switched to a compressed schedule
With my bosses permission, I asked if I could take some of my leave and use it to have every other Friday off as a way to provide some relief for my family. He was gracious and let me try this experiment. I wanted to prove that not only could I keep up on my job and have minimal office impact, but that maybe I would also be more productive as I have heard you can be with a compressed schedule.
Over a year, it depleted all my leave- but my family life had noticeably improved, and so had some of my work/life balance. I relished the 3 day weekends. I then learned that some work places offered this routinely. What?! Then I learned about compressed schedules.
Making A Compressed Schedule Official
I had no idea that there were a few ways to skin a cat with this- and I opted to ask more seriously for the 9/80 schedule- every other Friday off and work 9 hours most days on. I knew my leadership- and I had to show productivity. And boy did I ever.
In fact, when crunching my numbers I was MORE productive using that schedule. The numbers didn’t lie. My overall job satisfaction didn’t either. With some convincing my boss allowed me to work the 9/80. That was three years ago, and I still am doing it. I still love those Fridays off. In fact, my entire team switched to that as it was so popular.
With switching to a remote role, my new team graciously allowed me to keep this schedule as well. For just a little more time on the clock everyday I get a full day off every other two weeks. Last Friday off I went paddle boarding with friends. I’m making plans to make those “Ski Fridays” this coming winter. I can easily schedule doctor appointments, or get a leg up on groceries on those days off.
In a word, is working a compressed schedule worth it? Yes. At least it was for me at this point in my life and career.