What is a 40-hour work week?
A 40-hour work week is also called a “9-to-5” job, in which employees work an eight-hour day, Monday through Friday. The eight hours may vary slightly but typically fall between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Many employees who work a 40-hour week are paid a salary, receive medical benefits and are entitled to a set number of paid vacation days per year.
History of the 40-hour work week
The 40-hour work week was first adopted in Britain and the United States as a social movement to prevent the exploitation of workers during the Industrial Revolution. Factories often forced workers to work between 10 and 16 hours a day, six days a week. Workers, at times, included children, and conditions were poor.
In the 1860s, the US government first imposed the 40-hour work week in various states and finally enacted it in 1940. The labour movement in Canada watched the US and UK closely, officially adopting the 40-hour work week in 1960. Since then, 40-hour work weeks have been the standard for all employers with full-time employees.
Is the 40-hour work week outdated?
Many employers are experimenting with more flexible work schedules, specifically after the global pandemic reshaped the way we look at productivity. Employees seek a better work-life balance and pressure corporations to adopt alternative work schedules.
Deciding whether these alternative work schedules are right for your business depends on your job responsibilities, industry, and the financial impact of implementing them.
Research suggests that both standardized and alternative work schedules have pros and cons, so companies should implement the best solution for their industry.
Related: Indeed & Glassdoor look at Future Trends affecting the Labour Market
Pros and cons of the 40-hour work week
Standardized schedules are becoming less popular due to a shift in trends. Here are some pros and cons for the 40-hour work week:
Pros
- Establishes a routine: Employees who work the same hours (9 am–5 pm), Monday through Friday, can plan their appointments and personal time around their working hours.
- Salaried pay: Companies who hire full-time employees to work a 40-hour work week typically pay a salary rather than an hourly wage. Salaried pay means employees know precisely how much each pay cheque will be, making it easier to budget and plan for the future.
- Synergy among employees: Having a set work schedule and core hours when employees are in the office or workplace makes it easier to schedule meetings and enhances teamwork and communication.
Cons
- Restrictive schedule: Employees may feel frustrated by the lack of flexibility that set days and hours impose on them. A 9–5 schedule can mean missing time with family or leaving little time for hobbies.
- Employee burnout: Some studies suggest that being overworked can cause health concerns, poor concentration, and mood.
- Less productivity: Your team is less likely to be productive if they are tired, stressed, or suffering burnout from too many hours spent at the workplace.
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Examples of flexible work arrangements and schedules
Here are some examples of popular flexible work arrangements:
Flex time
Flex time allows employees more freedom in their day by letting them choose their work hours. With flex time, employees are still required to work 40 hours per week (eight hours per day), but they get to choose their start and end time rather than working typical 9–5 hours.
For example, an employee could work 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. if they have young children in school or shift to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. if they benefit from a morning workout.
For this scenario, it is recommended that the company maintain core hours so that employees are at work for meetings and collaborative sessions. Core hours are often 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Related: Understanding flex time as an employer
Hybrid work (telecommuting)
Hybrid work, or telecommuting, is a flexible work arrangement in which employees work from home a few days a week and in the office for the remainder. This arrangement has become more popular for knowledge workers because virtual meet technology has improved immensely since the pandemic. Some job roles, like manual labour or health care positions, do not fit a hybrid work plan.
Related: The Future is Hybrid: Embrace Flexibility in Your Hybrid Workplace Model
Remote work
Remote work became popular after the pandemic because it allowed people to fulfill their job responsibilities while having the flexibility to be present for the family. It also eliminated daily commutes, saving the employees considerable time each week. Jobs like marketing, customer service, and sales are effective remote positions because workers can install computer software that logs their time for tasks and monitor progress.
Related:
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Four-day work week
The four-day work week has been gaining popularity in Canada, with pilot projects slowly being adopted since 2022. The concept is not to condense a 40-hour work week into four days, but instead work fewer hours (32 hours instead of 40) while being paid the same salary. This initiative aims to prove that a 20% reduction in work hours, without a pay cut, can sustain 100% productivity.
Related: Three Companies Tried a Four-Day Work Week. Here’s How It Went
9/80
The 9/80 work schedule spreads out 80 working hours across nine days. Typically, you work nine hours for eight days and then eight hours on the ninth day, allowing you to take a day off during the two weeks. You may also have four hours off each week over the two weeks. The 9/80 schedule aims to increase engagement and productivity and improve work-life balance.
A 9/80 work schedule requires workers to work nine days every biweekly pay period. They could work:
- Five 9-hour days the first week and four 9-hour days the next
- 4.5 days every week
- Four 10-hour workdays a week, with an extra day off in exchange for logging an additional hour every day
Pros and cons of alternative schedules
Here are some positives and negatives to consider when adjusting work schedules for employees:
Pros
- Improves employee morale: Allowing employees more control over their time may boost employee morale and job satisfaction. For example, if you allow employees with long commutes to have a hybrid solution and work from home two to three days a week, they might experience less stress and be more productive.
- Cost savings: Companies can save on office space and equipment by having a remote workforce.
- Promotes productivity: Employees could be productive at different times of day, so allowing alternate schedules could enhance their productivity levels. Some employees may work better in the early morning, while others prefer a later shift.
- Minimize turnover: Employee retention increases with flexible work schedules because workers prefer more autonomy over their lives and time.
Related: Leveraging Workplace Motivators to Create a Culture of Happiness and Improve Productivity
Cons
- Less interaction with employees: Employers may find it difficult to track the work progress or build strong professional relationships with employees if they are in the office less.
- Decreases workplace communication: Office communication may suffer with fewer workers attending regularly. Scheduling meetings, obtaining signatures, or communicating important information may rely more heavily on technology than in-person contact.
- Security risks: There could be security risks associated with remote workers storing company data on personal devices or connecting on WiFi that is not as secure, so you may feel more comfortable buying laptops, tablets, and phones exclusively for work.
- Internet outages: Home internet outages can happen more frequently than in large office buildings.
Standardized or flexible schedules: Which is better?
Offering employees a flexible work schedule could increase their work-life satisfaction and improve job performance. These gains may come at the cost of logistical and administrative challenges, so conducting a complete cost–benefit analysis may be ideal first. Remember that flexible schedules are not suitable for every role or corporation, but keeping an open mind can go a long way as alternative work schedules gain popularity.
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