The 9/80 schedule fits 80 hours into nine workdays, so every other Friday (or Monday) is off. The federal government calls its version the 5/4-9 compressed plan.
The pattern
| Day | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hours | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | off | off | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | off | off | off |
Hours
Over one 14-day cycle that is 80 hours, an average of 40 hours a week. Because the cycle does not line up with a calendar week, some weeks have more hours than others: the calendar above shows each week’s total and the hours over 40.
In the pattern above the 8-hour day is the first Friday and the second Friday is off.
Overtime
Under federal law, most hourly employees get overtime for hours over 40 in their employer’s fixed workweek, whatever the schedule. Fire and police departments can use a longer work period under section 7(k) of the FLSA; for fire protection that is 212 hours in 28 days. State rules and union contracts can add more.
Sources
- OPM Handbook on Alternative Work Schedules, Appendix C: models of compressed work schedules (4-day week, 5/4-9 plan)
- US Department of Labor: overtime under the FLSA (1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek; the workweek is a fixed 168-hour period)
Sources last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 9/80 schedule?
Eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day over two weeks, with one day off: 80 hours.
How many days off with 9/80?
One extra day every two weeks, 26 a year.
Is 9/80 the same as 5/4-9?
Yes. 5/4-9 is the name OPM uses for federal employees.
