While
managers are charged with managing employees on
compressed workweeks, the employees have to
self-manage, too. They can work together to find ways to
deal with the fatigue of longer days.Here is a checklist of ways to do this:
When
planning your schedule, factor in the length of the work
day, the time spent commuting and the responsibilities
of life outside work. Avoid surprises.
Consider
having the scheduled day off in the middle of the week
rather than the day before, or after, a weekend. This
can provide a distinct and rejuvenating break between
two sets of long days.
Select
a schedule that fits the workload. Fifty-hour weeks may
translate better into a 9/80 than a 4/10 schedule.
Plan to get sufficient sleep, especially at the
beginning of the arrangement.
Recognize that it will take a while to adjust to the new
style of work. Pacing yourself, getting coworkers used
to your schedule and dealing with some early
inefficiencies will take some time – but should just
be part of the start-up phase.
