What is an alternative work schedule?
- Regular Work Schedule – five consecutive eight hour shifts in a week
- Alternative Work Schedule – full-time work weeks of less than five days
- 4/10 – four 10 hour shifts over one week
- 9/80 – eight 9 hour shifts and one 8 hour shift over two weeks
Why might an employee want?
- Fewer work days
- Less commuting
- Can create work hours during non-peak hours (less hectic so can get more work done)
Why might a department want?
- Can provide better coverage
- Increased employee morale
Why might a department be concerned?
Longer work days
- Fatigue; less production
- Working hours that are not when needed (e.g., does it makes sense for a secretary to come in a 6 am?)
- Working hours when there may not be supervision (e.g., how much work is going to get done when no one else is around; not a good idea for employees with performance issues)
Fewer work days
- 9/80 – one less day every two weeks
- 4/10 – two less days every two weeks
Under what circumstances?
- Cost Neutral - employees should not receive greater benefits under an alternative work schedule (e.g., legal holidays are an 8 hour benefit; employees working a 4/10 do not get 10 hours LH)
- Mutual Agreement - schedules require agreement of the employee and the City; City can end an alternative work schedule unilaterally with providing sufficient notice
- Serves the Department’s Needs - if an alternative work schedule will impair a department’s mission, then it should not be approved