The Compressed Workweek

Source: Accounting Office Management & Administration Report

Among other things (such as examples of companies using compressed workweeks), this article addresses pros and cons of the compressed workweek.

Pros:

• CPA firms may be ideal for compressed workweeks, as they have often used them during summer months to compensate for extra time worked during busy season.
• A four-day workweek will reduce commuting time and costs.
• Some clients may already have adopted four-day weeks, so educating them about it isn’t necessary.
• Some companies have experienced enhanced employee satisfaction from the compressed schedule.

Cons:

• A compressed workweek may affect productivity.
• CPA firms want to avoid any interruption of client service on the off days.
• Employees are often parents too, and even though they have compressed workweeks, their children may not.
• A four-day week does not necessarily mean a three-day weekend. That may be nice for employees, but may not work for the firm.
• Firms adopting a compressed schedule should be sure to comply with FLSA overtime standards by making sure employees work no more than 40 hours in any one week.

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From Accounting Office Management & Administration Report, Institute of Management and Administration, Inc., Newark, NJ, [email protected], December 2008, p. 3, “Can Compressed Workweeks Work Well For Your Firm?”