Compressed Workweeks

The term compressed workweek refers to an alternative work schedule that can be used by employers who are trying to implement creative work scheduling to meet either work demands, customer needs, or the personal commitments of employees. This type of work schedule typically [Page 99]involves employees regularly working longer hours on some workdays, so that they can have all or part of another workday off. Compressed workweeks specifically involve work schedules wherein the employee continues to work a full-time schedule (such as 40 hours per week), but according to a work schedule that entails fewer workdays in a workweek than the typical five 8-hour workdays.

Typical examples for compressed workweek schedules are four 10-hour workdays, followed by a three-day weekend or working 80 hours during nine workdays. Within the health care profession, nurses frequently work on a compressed schedule to maximize both work and personal time. Frequently, nurses may be assigned to three successive 12-hour shifts, resulting in a three-days-on, four-daysoff weekly work rotation. This type of work arrangement could be considered a compressed workweek.

This type of work schedule offers employees flexibility to obtain an additional weekday or part of a weekday to address personal matters (such as family obligations, child/elder care, or travel). Moreover, it may allow the employer to better meet customer demands, because the regular hours of operation may be extended beyond the typical 8-hour workday. Compressed workweeks are one of several work-scheduling alternatives an employer may want to consider offering. Other options include flextime and telecommuting.