What does 9/80 mean? 9h/day minimum, and 80h/week?
That 'd be straight out illegal in Germany, for example (8h/d maximum on long-term average, 48h/week max on long-term average). If any accidents happen with this excessive overtimes, the employer is fully liable for any damages claims.
What the US desperately lacks is a federal workers' protection laws.
“The 9/80 work week… occurs over a 2-week period as follows: employees work seven 9-hour days in a 2-week period, one 8-hour day and then receive one “free” day off every other week.”
I'm fairly sure it means that you work 80 hours over 9 days (instead of 10), which can actually be pretty nice, because its fairly rare for professionals to actually work 9-5. To me it seems to codify an existing trend, and provide a benefit that acknowledges the reality of work. personally I don't think this represents a lack of workers rights, but an improvement by offering a more flexible schedule.
That 'd be straight out illegal in Germany, for example (8h/d maximum on long-term average, 48h/week max on long-term average). If any accidents happen with this excessive overtimes, the employer is fully liable for any damages claims.
What the US desperately lacks is a federal workers' protection laws.