|
ARCHIVE
|
HB40, Transparency in Government, Nonprofits & Elections
August 27, 2008
|
E-governance, Prenatal Care in Utah
June 25, 2008
|
Governance, State Budget Reports
May 29, 2008
|
Childhood Obesity, Stadium Funding, Local Economic Development
April 30, 2008
|
State Rankings, Healthcare Legislation
March 26, 2008
|
[MORE]
|
|
|  |
|
|
Is It Time for a Four-Day Work Week?
by W. David Patton, PhD,CPPA Director
The Great Idea this month comes from
right here in Utah, moving to a four-day work week. As of August 4, 2008 the State of Utah will be the first state to
move most of its workforce to a four-day work week. The move is being made to reduce the costs of commuting for
employees, cut air pollution and traffic congestion, and save energy costs in
state facilities. It may also improve
employee satisfaction and productivity.
The four-day work week is not new and the State of Utah is not the first
to implement the idea, but the move has received a lot of attention. Nine of the fifteen largest cities in Utah
already operate with some form of alternate work schedule including one of the
largest, West Valley City, which has used the four-day schedule for a couple of
years. Another notable city
implementing the four-day work week is Birmingham, Alabama who implemented the
alternate schedule after seeing cost savings in Jefferson County. Back in Utah, it appears that other public
agencies are considering the move as the costs of energy soar.
The four-day workweek gained
momentum after an article on the experience of Spanish Fork in Utah County was
published by Brigham Young University professors Rex Facer and Lori Wadsworth.[1] Although the study
only looked at one relatively small city, the findings indicated that employees
experienced less at-home conflict and were, therefore, more satisfied and
productive at work. Employees also were
more satisfied with compensation and benefits and felt that citizens had more
access to government with the four-day schedule. These findings appear to support a larger study currently being
conducted by the Utah Department of Human Resource Management.[2] Preliminary findings
show that State employees overwhelmingly feel there are several advantages with
the four-day schedule. Most believe it
would be positive for the environment, reduce commute costs, and be better for
employees.
The four-day workweek is new to both
employees and other citizens and will take some getting used to. The four-day schedule is intended to save
costs by closing many State offices on Friday but be open longer hours on the
other four week days. Citizens will be
able to access government offices an hour earlier and an hour later than usual
with offices open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.[3] Citizens will also
be encouraged to access State services online.
So far, citizens do not appear to be convinced. Both studies on the four-day schedule were less
positive about the impact on citizens than they were regarding the impact on
employees. The BYU study said that “Unpublished
findings from the researchers indicate that citizens are split evenly among
support, neutrality and opposition to the 4/10 schedule.” The State of Utah study also showed that
State employees are split concerning their opinion that the four-day workweek
will have a “positive impact on customers.”
Alternate work schedules may be a consequence of the times,
but there are a number of significant advantages – saving costs on energy being
the strongest. The plan is not without
some concerns, however. Although a
minority, a significant number of employees feel like the new schedule will
hurt morale and are skeptical about cost savings. Others anticipate problems finding childcare, the impact on the
work schedule of a spouse and personal activities outside of work. In many public agencies these concerns are
being addressed and any negative effects mitigated through childcare assistance
programs and flexibility in the work schedule for individual employees.
[2] Positive
Statements toward 4/10s – Draft Document, Utah Department of Human Resource
Management. July, 2008.
[3] Four Days on
the Job, Governing Magazine, June 30, 2008.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
|
|
| |
|
|
|
