Get More Work Done In Fewer Days...
Compressed Work Weeks Really Work!

It’s not an illusion, and there are no strings. Employees can actually get more done in fewer days. Valley Metro’s Rideshare group is here to help Maricopa County employers. With programs designed to reduce single occupant vehicle commuting, Valley Metro can help companies reach their trip reduction goals.Finding better ways to work helps relieve traffic congestion, improve air quality and can even reduce employee stress.One program you can set up to accomplish clean air and trip reduction goals is to implement a compressed work week (CWW) schedule at your company. You’ll find both employers and employees benefit from this practical TDM measure.

Working a Compressed Week

Employees on compressed work weeks finish their usual number of working hours in fewer days. Is it magic? No, they simply work longer days. By doing so, employees have more days out of the year available for leisure or personal business. For coverage, the CWW days off should vary among employees. The three most common schedules are:

• 9/80 Schedule: Employees work the required number of hours for a two week period in nine days. The tenth day is considered an earned day off!
• 4/40 Schedule: Under this option, employees work their typical number of weekly hours in four days and take one day off.
• 3/36 Schedule: This schedule requires employees work three, 12 hour shifts each week. That leaves two earned days off each week!

Let the Valley Metro Rideshare group help you set up a compressed work week schedule at your company. It really benefits everyone, as you will see next.

The Advantages: How Employers Benefit

It’s no mirage, employers really do see the value of compressed work weeks.

• Helps achieve TRP goals.
• Provides better office coverage with longer work hours, especially for reaching customers in different time zones.
• Improves office morale through greater job satisfaction.
• Reduces absenteeism since employees can use their day off to accommodate personal business.
• Lowers staff turnover as it’s considered a popular benefit of the job.
• Works well as a recruitment tool.
• Increases productivity due to better morale.

How Employees Benefit

The magic potion for job satisfaction and productivity is concocted by adding more days into your personal life.

• Improves job satisfaction and morale through increased job responsibility, autonomy, efficiency and trust. Decreases use of sick and vacation time because CWW days off are used for personal interests.
• Reduces commuting costs when there are fewer days to travel to work.. Encourages off-peak travel which can lower stress, not to mention traffic congestion and pollution.
• Decreases absenteeism and tardiness as earned days off seem to reduce the amount of normal work time used for personal needs.

“Compressed work weeks give employees a greater ability to balance work and personal life. It benefits our community as well.”Ross Park,Vice President & General Manager Bull Worldwide Information Systems Phoenix

“Our employees appreciate compressed work weeks. They are happy and we are happy as well.”Jon Campbell, President & CEO Norwest Bank, Arizona

"With today’s hectic pace, the 9/80 schedule provides our staff with an opportunity to take care of personal business, plus it’s a valuable recruiting tool.” Larry Reese,Vice President Human Resources Blood Systems, Phoenix

Putting Time To Work: It’s not just that old black magic . . .

. . . employees on a compressed work week program must be responsible and self-disciplined. Peer pressure usually works as a monitoring device to ensure the required number of hours are worked. Allow plenty of time for adjustments to the new program. It’s important for employees and management to be a little more flexible while getting adjusted to a new schedule. So, give those new work times a chance to work. Compressed work week schedules are often associated with public service administration, construction, public utility and manufacturing firms. It works for many different types of companies and can work for you too.

Practice Makes Perfect

Supervisors and staff may find a little fine tuning is needed in order to make a compressed work week successful. It’s also important to remember open communication is a two-way street that can enhance trust and productivity. Supervisors may have to remember to adjust their way of managing, but for the most part, everyone is usually very satisfied getting more done—in fewer days.

Reaping the Rewards

It’s going to take a lot more than magic to get pollution and traffic congestion to make a disappearing act. Consider how our community benefits and how the quality of life can improve when we make a few changes. Valley Metro can assist you with building your company’s compressed work week program.We will also help determine which schedule will work best for your company.