I think it depends on what kind of work is performed. For the manufacturing industry, this would be a very bad idea as workers will start losing focus during the last hours of the day which potentially would increase the volume of workplace injuries.
I have a huge problem with the 5x9 expectation. 9-5 means 9-5 including a lunch. I promise any employer that demanding my presence from 8-5 (or any other 9 hours) will not result in greater productivity, and furthermore will leave me disgruntled.
There's only so much development that can be done in a day before I'm in a haze from all the abstract thought, and that productivity asymptote comes well under 8 hours.
It's 4 hours for me. Doesn't matter how long the day is, maximum concentration tops out at 4 hours. The rest of the time is just admin work, emails and house keeping.
