What Is a Compressed Schedule? How Software Can Help You Achieve It
byAre you looking for a way to eliminate coverage gaps and give your employees more time off? Compressed schedules may be the answer. These work models implement longer work days. However, employees work fewer days per week, which means more time to recharge.
So what is a compressed schedule? More importantly, is it time to switch to one? Here’s everything you need to know.
Key takeaways:
Here are the main things you need to know about compressed schedules:
- Compressed schedules have longer shifts but fewer workdays
- Employees typically still work 40 hours per week
- Compressed schedules give employees more days off
- Compressed schedules can promote a better work-life balance
- When I Work makes creating and managing compressed schedules more efficient
Table of contents
- What is a compressed schedule?
- Compressed schedule examples
- Business advantages of using a compressed schedule
- Common challenges with compressed schedules
- Things to consider before implementing a compressed schedule
- There’s software that can help you trial a compressed schedule
- Try compressed scheduling (or any other schedule type) with When I Work
What is a compressed schedule?
A compressed schedule is a work arrangement where employees work longer hours but fewer days. The most common approach is the 4/10 model. Employees work four 10-hour shifts per week instead of five 8-hour days.
77% of U.S. workers are in favor of a four-day, 40-hour workweek. 46% of survey respondents said that a transition to four 10-hour shifts would have an “extremely positive” impact on their lives.
Another common variation of the compressed schedule is rotating 12-hour shifts. Businesses in industries like healthcare and manufacturing often use 12-hour shifts.
Compressed schedule examples
Here are a few compressed schedule examples:
Salon and spa example
A hair salon might implement a schedule where stylists work three 12-hour shifts. This setup gives clients access to extended appointment hours. Employees enjoy more days off.
The 12-hour model can also minimize the need for shift changes. Suppose that a spa is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, and employees come in 30 minutes early to set up. If the spa uses standard shifts, employees would need to trade off midway through the day. The 12-hour model means no shift changes and no disruptions to the business.
Healthcare example
A hospital’s nursing staff might operate on a 2-2-3 schedule. Nurses will work two days on, two days off, and then three days on. The following week would reverse, giving employees two days off, two days on, and then three days off. This ensures 24/7 coverage. Employees will have more time off to recover from long shifts, reducing burnout and increasing the quality of patient care.
Business advantages of using a compressed schedule
A compressed schedule can offer several perks for your business, including the following:
Reduced downtime during shift changes
Fewer shift changes mean less time wasted on transitions. Employees can focus on their tasks. They will also spend less time setting up or breaking down their workstations.
Lower administrative burden
Fewer total shifts mean less time spent scheduling. Suppose that you have 50 employees. If they each work five shifts per week, you have to fill 250 slots. If you cut everyone down to a four-day workweek, you will only have to fill 200 slots on your schedule.
Minimized coverage gaps
Compressed schedules promote workforce optimization and minimize gaps in coverage. You can extend your service hours without relying on part-time hires.
Improved employee satisfaction and retention
Researchers are still studying the implications of the four-day workweek. However, early results suggest that compressed schedules improve employee satisfaction and well-being. Companies also report better recruitment and retention.
Common challenges with compressed schedules
Compressed schedules can create some new challenges, including the following:
Employee fatigue
Longer shifts can result in employee fatigue and burnout. Some team members may struggle to remain productive for a 10-hour or 12-hour shift. Therefore, it’s important to consider the limits of your workforce. Think about the type of tasks your employees perform each day. If they are very demanding, longer shifts may not be a good fit.
Keep a close eye on employee performance and well-being to prevent exhaustion. Encourage your team members to take advantage of their days off. If they make the most of their extra downtime, they can recharge and limit fatigue.
Risk for overtime costs
If not managed carefully, compressed schedules can lead to overtime pay. For example, suppose that you use the 2-2-3 schedule mentioned above. This schedule results in each employee working 84 hours every two weeks. Make sure you account for those hours to keep employees below the overtime threshold.
Compliance with labor laws
You must ensure that your schedule complies with state and federal labor laws. Most states have strict rules governing overtime, break periods, and consecutive work days. Suppose that you transition to 10-hour shifts. Your state may require that employees receive an extra 15- or 30-minute break.
Things to consider before implementing a compressed schedule
Now that you know the answer to the question, “What is a compressed schedule?” It’s time to decide whether it fits your business well. Here are some things to consider:
Does a compressed schedule make sense with peak business hours?
Do you experience predictable fluctuations in demand? Will offering longer service hours create a better experience for customers? If so, then a compressed schedule may be a good fit.
Do others in my industry use compressed scheduling?
Look at the most successful businesses in your industry. Do they use compressed schedules? If so, you may want to make the switch as well.
Does a compressed schedule comply with local labor laws?
Make sure to check regulations on shift length and overtime pay. For example, California requires businesses to pay time and a half when employees exceed eight hours in a workday.
Are there roles or tasks that are unsuitable for extended shifts?
Physically demanding jobs may not be a good fit for compressed schedules. Construction workers are a prime example. Employees may become dangerously fatigued if they work 12-hour shifts in extreme temperatures.
Do we have the right software or resources to track overtime?
Without proper scheduling tools, it’s easy to exceed your labor budget. Solutions like When I Work make it easy to track hours and manage overtime costs.
There’s software that can help you trial a compressed schedule
Compressed schedules allow you to offer your employees longer hours over fewer days. This can improve work-life balance and boost productivity. However, implementing and managing compressed schedules can be tough without the right tools. Automated scheduling tools ensure you have proper coverage while promoting employee satisfaction.
How When I Work helps you manage compressed scheduling
When I Work employee scheduling software includes the tools you need to manage your schedule. Here are five When I Work features and how they help you manage compressed schedules:
Feature 1: Pre-built schedule templates for compressed shifts
Manually creating compressed schedules is time-consuming and tedious, but When I Work provides pre-built templates that generate schedules quickly to help you save time. A healthcare manager saved 12 hours per week by using pre-built templates.
Feature 2: Integration with employee availability and preferences
Manually accommodating employee preferences while maintaining coverage is difficult, so When I Work integrates employee preferences and availability into scheduling to keep it all in one place. A retail team reported 25% fewer scheduling conflicts after implementing this feature.
Feature 3: Compliance safeguards and labor cost tracking
It takes time to ensure compliance with labor laws and manage overtime costs, that’s why When I Work tracks hours worked and overtime to keep you in line with regulations. A manufacturing business reduced overtime costs by 20% using compliance safeguards.
Feature 4: Reporting and analytics for scheduling evaluation
Evaluating the success of a compressed schedule trial requires employee performance data, and When I Work provides detailed reports and analytics to help you make the right decisions for your business. A tech startup evaluated its 4/10 trial using scheduling data, leading to permanent implementation based on high employee satisfaction.
Feature 5: Real-time schedule updates and communication
Communicating last-minute changes without automation can lead to miscommunication. When I Work instantly updates employees about scheduling changes to prevent confusion. A team avoided a coverage gap during a compressed schedule trial.
These features provide some powerful benefits. You can ensure compliance with labor laws and protect your reputation. You’ll also unlock actionable insights for evaluating schedule success. You can even save up to 15 hours per week on schedule creation.
Try compressed scheduling (or any other schedule type) with When I Work
When I Work offers customizable templates and automation tools. These resources help you create better schedules faster. The platform is loaded with other tools designed to simplify workforce management.
The time clock accurately tracks each employee’s hours to ensure they are paid fairly for the work they do. The team messaging feature keeps everyone in the loop. You can even send instant updates about schedule changes and swaps.
When I Work empowers you to build better schedules. It can accommodate the needs of any schedule or industry. Try When I Work free today. Once you use When I Work, you’ll never want to build schedules without it again.
