9 day fortnight
Imagine working the same number of hours but getting a regular extra day off every two weeks.
That is the idea behind a 9 day fortnight: a flexible working pattern where people condense their hours into nine working days instead of the usual ten. It is a simple way to improve work/life balance without cutting pay or productivity.
What is a 9 day fortnight?
A 9 day fortnight is a flexible working arrangement where team members complete their standard fortnightly hours across nine days instead of ten.
Typically, people work slightly longer hours each day to earn a day off, often every second Friday. You can think of it as compressing two weeks of work into fewer days, with regular long weekends built in.
Why use a 9 day fortnight?
Still running a traditional five day week? Here is why some organisations are switching to a 9 day fortnight:
Work/life balance. Team members enjoy an extra day off every two weeks.
Attraction and retention. It is a competitive perk in a tight labour market.
Productivity. Focused working can offset slightly longer days.
Wellbeing. More recovery time helps reduce stress and burnout.
Sustainability. Fewer commuting days cut costs and carbon footprint.
When it is planned well, a 9 day fortnight can feel like “more life, same work”.
How to make a 9 day fortnight work
A 9 day fortnight needs clear structure so business continuity is not disrupted. Most organisations rotate days off across teams so there is always cover.
A strong 9 day fortnight framework usually includes:
clear rules on how hours are redistributed.
agreed “day off” schedules that balance team needs and customer demand.
flexibility for part time or shift based team members.
monitoring of workloads to prevent burnout.
regular reviews to check impact on productivity and wellbeing.
The goal is simple: give people more time back, without leaving gaps in your rota.
Who benefits from a 9 day fortnight?
In short: everyone.
Team members gain regular long weekends, more flexibility and better recovery time.
Employers see stronger engagement, better retention and, in many cases, no drop in productivity.
When a 9 day fortnight is planned well, it is not just about fewer days in the office. It is about smarter working for everyone.
Get your shifts together
Thinking about offering a 9 day fortnight in your workplace?
With Planday, you can build compressed schedules, rotate days off fairly and keep an eye on costs and coverage, all in one place. That way, your team can enjoy their extra day off and you can stay confident the rota still works.
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