The 3-Day Workweek: An Innovative Approach to Staffing
Do you want to work fewer days each week, earn full-time income, and have a career that makes a difference? That’s exactly what GoodLife offers Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) with its innovative 3-day workweek.
In this blog, we’ll highlight the details of the 3-day workweek and the benefits for our Direct Support Professionals. You’ll learn how this approach offers a better work-life balance for our staff while delivering superior care for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The 3-Day Workweek: An Innovative Approach to Staffing
GoodLife has been developing creative staffing approaches to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities for decades. Our nearly 40-year partnership with the University of Kansas has resulted in research-based strategies that empower our team and benefit the individuals we serve. We also train other agencies on how to implement these approaches so their staff can take advantage of them, too.
The staffing schedule we use most often is the 3-day workweek, also called the Front/Back Half workweek. In this model, the Front shift works Sunday + 2 weekdays, and the Back shift works Saturday + 2 weekdays. DSPs work 12 or 13 hours each day and earn full-time pay while working fewer days per week. To meet staffing ratios, we have overlay staff to fill in gaps, or Direct Support Professionals can take an additional shift to earn more income. Both day and night shifts are available to accommodate our DSPs’ preferences.
Benefits of a 3-Day Workweek
The Front/Back Half workweek offers advantages for both our staff and the individuals we serve. Here are some of the benefits of this ingenious staffing schedule for our providers.
More days off
The most obvious benefit is more days off. Traditional Monday-Friday employees get 104 days off a year. But with 3-day workweeks, our Direct Support Professionals get 208 days off per year. That’s more free days to spend with family and friends, pursue hobbies, go to school, or relax.
Higher pay
This schedule offers Direct Support Professionals full-time pay and the opportunity to pick up additional shifts for extra earning potential. Better pay means a more comfortable lifestyle and increased financial security for our team.
Reduce commuting time and costs
Fewer work days each week means less time on the road and lower costs for gas or transportation. When you don’t have to commute five days a week, the savings and benefits really add up over time.
Less need for childcare
When you work 3 days a week, you reduce your childcare needs. This saves you money and allows you to spend more time with your family.
Flexible schedule
The 3-day workweek gives Direct Support Caregivers the ability to trade shifts with colleagues, giving them more control over their schedule and allowing for greater flexibility. This allows our caregivers to meet the demands they have in their personal life while also being able to deliver superior care to the individuals they work with during their shifts.
More stability
The 3-day workweek offers our Direct Support Professionals the stability they need while also providing continuity of care for those we serve. With fewer transitions in staffing, the individuals we serve have greater consistency in their routines which helps build trust and meaningful relationships. This level of familiarity makes the experience and outcomes better for everyone.
Learn More About Our 3-Day Workweek
Imagine having four days off every week while still earning full-time pay. GoodLife’s innovative 3-day workweek offers you that! You’ll be able to enjoy life outside of your job without sacrificing financial security or career growth opportunities.
The Front/Back Half workweek has proven over time to be an effective model for achieving superior care for the individuals we serve and greater work-life balance for our Direct Support Professionals. If you’re looking for a job where you can make a real difference in the lives of others, visit GoodLife’s Careers page to learn more about work opportunities and current openings.
This post is part of our in-depth blog series about the past, present, and future of GoodLife’s Front/Back Half workweek. In the related articles, we’ll explore the history of this staffing schedule and discuss our plans for the future. We can’t wait to share more with you about this innovative approach to staffing.
