Utah to Institute a 4-Day Work Week - The Orange Mane

Taco John · 07-04-2008, 12:34 PM

Utah Will Institute a 4-Day Work Week

By LARRY COPELAND,USA Today
Posted: 2008-07-01 14:14:12

(July 1) - Utah this summer will become what experts say is the first state to institute a mandatory four-day work week for most state employees, joining local governments across the nation that are altering schedules to save money, energy and resources.

Gov. Jon Huntsman, a first-term Republican, says he's making the change to reduce the state's carbon footprint, increase energy efficiency, improve customer service and provide workers more flexibility.

"The reaction (from the public) has been very much a willingness to give this a go," he says.

The change will apply to about 17,000 employees, roughly 80 percent of the state workforce, Huntsman says. Public universities, the state court system, prisons and other critical services will be exempt. Residents still will have sufficient access to state offices, many staying open from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m., and more than 800 state services are available online, he says.

Leslie Scott, executive director of the National Association of State Personnel Directors, says Huntsman's action is a first. "Most states have a four-day work week option for their employees, but Utah is the first to go to a mandatory four-day work week," she says. "A good number of the states are encouraging their agencies and managers to offer a four-day work week whenever possible."

The four-day work week is fairly common among city and county governments. Rex Facer, an assistant professor at Brigham Young University whose research team is studying the four-day work week concept, estimates that about one-sixth of U.S. cities with populations above 25,000 offer employees a four-day work week. His projection is based on the team's continuing survey of 150 city human resource directors.

Facer expects more cities to begin shuttering offices on Fridays. "The increasing pressures the American is facing around gas prices is certainly a significant factor, and the overall fiscal pressures governments are facing in general," he says.

Jacqueline Byers, director of research at the National Association of Counties, says the four-day work week is gaining in popularity among county governments. Marion County, Fla., has a mandatory four-day work week for employees; Oconee County, S.C., and Walworth County, Wis., have it for road work crews, while Will County, Ill., has it for the auditor's office. Oakland County, Mich., is seeking volunteers for a four-day work week, and Miami-Dade County, Fla., and Suffolk County, N.Y., are moving toward it, she says.

"They like it for a couple of reasons," says Byers. "They're not able to give raises, so this is like a bonus, to cut off one day's commute. Also, if they can close a whole department (for a day), they save money for the county."

It takes some adjusting. "One thing that has to be changed is the level of expectation from taxpayers, because they've always wanted five-day access," Byers says. "They have to adjust to offices that are open longer on weekdays, but closed on Fridays."

Cities offering employees condensed work weeks include Coconut Creek, Fla., Birmingham, Ala., and Avondale, Ariz., according to the National League of Cities.

In Utah, the new schedule starts Aug. 4. In the meantime, Huntsman says, the state is moving to iron out problems for employees with child-care concerns and those using public transportation that currently would not accommodate a longer workday.

Huntsman says the change will help Utah reach its goal of reducing energy use 20 percent by 2015.

Beyond the energy and financial implications, the four-day work week is a quality-of-life issue for many. Huntsman says it is especially popular among younger employees and that his action will make Utah more competitive in luring talent.

Facer agrees that an improved "work-life balance" often results from a shorter work week.

"More and more young workers are entering the work force," Facer says. "They're looking for ways to enhance their work-life balance. Alternative work schedules offer more of this work-life balance than do traditional work schedules."

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/j...727x1200224288

theAPAOps5 · 07-04-2008, 12:38 PM

I worked a 4 day work week for 6 years and now I am on 5 8's. That extra day off is such a benefit. Heck I guarantee productivity on the days people work will go up.

REB · 07-04-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApaOps5

I worked a 4 day work week for 6 years and now I am on 5 8's. That extra day off is such a benefit. Heck I guarantee productivity on the days people work will go up.

I did too and you are correct.

Spider · 07-04-2008, 08:25 PM

14 hour days 5 days a week and 6 hours on saturday , sundays off ......
although I can take saturdays off ....

baja · 07-04-2008, 08:32 PM

damn you drive for 14 hours at a time?

REB · 07-04-2008, 08:40 PM

That's a hell of a lot of driving you crazy arachnid

Spider · 07-04-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baja

damn you drive for 14 hours at a time?

I do and I do physical work also ........Gates get jammed up , I have to move heavy rocks out of the way etc .....

Spider · 07-04-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REB

That's a hell of a lot of driving you crazy arachnid

I got a big family...I am so wore out , I let them go to the fair without me tonight ...... we will go as a family sunday

baja · 07-04-2008, 08:52 PM

Damn I could not even stay awake for 14 hours driving.

Spider · 07-04-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baja

Damn I could not even stay awake for 14 hours driving.

nothing like putting in a good days hard work .....good for the soul ...I will be back on top in no time , the guy I work for pays overtime , and he lets me have all of the hours I want ...... All he expects is a 8 hour day out of me , but I show up at 5:30 am do my pre trip , and be out of the yard by 6 am ...... I try to have 9 loads done by noon ......

baja · 07-04-2008, 08:56 PM

What do you haul?

Spider · 07-04-2008, 08:58 PM

Here is part of my dash , I didnt get all the gages and toggle switches in the pic , but it is a 1986 peterbilt 359 model , 3406 A model cat 13 speed ,3:73 rearends .I have the Eldorado Low rider seat , I let the air out I can barely see over the dash ....... This 86 model is in better shape then the 2006 freightliner CR england tried to give me

gunns · 07-05-2008, 02:08 AM

Our department started hedging on the 4 day work week after Huntsman announced. We've got a totally new computer system coming into play in 3 months, they said they worried about productivity going down, 1 less day to serve customers, plus the child care issues of some. The majority of employees said hell no, we want it. We're still working 40 hours, we'll finally be serving the working customer after hours, and a job rarely rearranges it's schedule to accomodate an individual employee. So they are doing it. I used to work a 4 day work week, loved it, but remember dragging myself home the last day. But I'm looking forward to it. It'll take some time but this job has become so stressful that extra day will be sweet. 3 day work weeks on holiday weeks. Whoohooo!

Spider · 07-05-2008, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baja

What do you haul?

Rocks and Dirt , heavy equipment , I work for a construction outfit now

TailgateNut · 07-05-2008, 07:49 AM

We've done the same (4 day work week) on any project which does not have work restrictions set by the municipality. Our employees love the extra time off and the gas savings. reducing the travel by 1/5th helps the "cash flow".

Spider · 07-05-2008, 08:06 AM

yeah but a loss of hours .......

TailgateNut · 07-05-2008, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spider

yeah but a loss of hours .......

NO, we went from 5 eight hour days to 4 ten hour days.

Tombstone RJ · 07-05-2008, 11:57 AM

I worked a 4 day work week when I was working contruction as a younger man. It was great, you work 4 ten hour days, then get 3 days off. And, if the work is hard (and it was) then that extra day off is really nice. Plus, it gave the guys from out of town an extra day to drive home and see their family.

4 ten hour days just makes sense. Aside from business like retail (Wal Mart, McDonald's, etc.) if I didn't have to work 5 days a week, I wouldn't.

baja · 07-05-2008, 12:14 PM

I think we should make the week 8 days long, divide the work population in 1/2 and have one half work their job the first four days while the second half plays than switch and work the new force works his/hers counter part's job the next four days.

It would solve unemployment and be great for everyone. Imagine half the traffic half the lines and everything always open.

cutthemdown · 07-05-2008, 01:41 PM

The problem with a 4 day work week is the other 3 days nothing gets done.

Spider · 07-05-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

The problem with a 4 day work week is the other 3 days nothing gets done.

you talk the talk , but do you walk the walk ? or you one of these 5 day work week guy ?
5 day work week would be a vacation for me ........

Tombstone RJ · 07-05-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baja

I think we should make the week 8 days long, divide the work population in 1/2 and have one half work their job the first four days while the second half plays than switch and work the new force works his/hers counter part's job the next four days.

It would solve unemployment and be great for everyone. Imagine half the traffic half the lines and everything always open.

Dude, there's all sorts of problems with that plan. First, your always gonna have one person who works harder than the other, so, if you leave a job because it's your four days off, and let someone take it over for 4 days, and then come back and find nothing done, well, you get pissed. Plus, that azzhole is a slob and never cleans up!

There's always a slacker.

baja · 07-05-2008, 09:10 PM

Those can be worked out - one set of work does not have to be connected to the other it's just the same position being filled. Each worker is subject to review for his work just like now.

What else do you see wrong with the idea, I'd like to know.

Bronco_Beerslug · 07-05-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spider

14 hour days 5 days a week and 6 hours on saturday , sundays off ......
although I can take saturdays off ....

6-10s, 7-10s, 7-12s for over 30 years (that doesn't account for travel time back and forth to jobs, some over 90 miles one way).

Looking at the 17,000 figure for Utah (probably about 1.5 million workers in that state) that equates to what, about 1%?

Bronco_Beerslug · 07-05-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

The problem with a 4 day work week is the other 3 days nothing gets done.

Not necessarily. You have one less day of startup and shutdown time (one less day employees would be absent, hung over etc...). Most studies show 4-10s to more effective than 5-8s.

07-04-2008, 12:34 PM	#1
Taco John 24/7 Broncos In Elway I Trust Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 49,697 Adopt-a-Bronco: Peyton Manning	Utah to Institute a 4-Day Work Week Utah Will Institute a 4-Day Work Week By LARRY COPELAND,USA Today Posted: 2008-07-01 14:14:12 (July 1) - Utah this summer will become what experts say is the first state to institute a mandatory four-day work week for most state employees, joining local governments across the nation that are altering schedules to save money, energy and resources. Gov. Jon Huntsman, a first-term Republican, says he's making the change to reduce the state's carbon footprint, increase energy efficiency, improve customer service and provide workers more flexibility. "The reaction (from the public) has been very much a willingness to give this a go," he says. The change will apply to about 17,000 employees, roughly 80 percent of the state workforce, Huntsman says. Public universities, the state court system, prisons and other critical services will be exempt. Residents still will have sufficient access to state offices, many staying open from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m., and more than 800 state services are available online, he says. Leslie Scott, executive director of the National Association of State Personnel Directors, says Huntsman's action is a first. "Most states have a four-day work week option for their employees, but Utah is the first to go to a mandatory four-day work week," she says. "A good number of the states are encouraging their agencies and managers to offer a four-day work week whenever possible." The four-day work week is fairly common among city and county governments. Rex Facer, an assistant professor at Brigham Young University whose research team is studying the four-day work week concept, estimates that about one-sixth of U.S. cities with populations above 25,000 offer employees a four-day work week. His projection is based on the team's continuing survey of 150 city human resource directors. Facer expects more cities to begin shuttering offices on Fridays. "The increasing pressures the American is facing around gas prices is certainly a significant factor, and the overall fiscal pressures governments are facing in general," he says. Jacqueline Byers, director of research at the National Association of Counties, says the four-day work week is gaining in popularity among county governments. Marion County, Fla., has a mandatory four-day work week for employees; Oconee County, S.C., and Walworth County, Wis., have it for road work crews, while Will County, Ill., has it for the auditor's office. Oakland County, Mich., is seeking volunteers for a four-day work week, and Miami-Dade County, Fla., and Suffolk County, N.Y., are moving toward it, she says. "They like it for a couple of reasons," says Byers. "They're not able to give raises, so this is like a bonus, to cut off one day's commute. Also, if they can close a whole department (for a day), they save money for the county." It takes some adjusting. "One thing that has to be changed is the level of expectation from taxpayers, because they've always wanted five-day access," Byers says. "They have to adjust to offices that are open longer on weekdays, but closed on Fridays." Cities offering employees condensed work weeks include Coconut Creek, Fla., Birmingham, Ala., and Avondale, Ariz., according to the National League of Cities. In Utah, the new schedule starts Aug. 4. In the meantime, Huntsman says, the state is moving to iron out problems for employees with child-care concerns and those using public transportation that currently would not accommodate a longer workday. Huntsman says the change will help Utah reach its goal of reducing energy use 20 percent by 2015. Beyond the energy and financial implications, the four-day work week is a quality-of-life issue for many. Huntsman says it is especially popular among younger employees and that his action will make Utah more competitive in luring talent. Facer agrees that an improved "work-life balance" often results from a shorter work week. "More and more young workers are entering the work force," Facer says. "They're looking for ways to enhance their work-life balance. Alternative work schedules offer more of this work-life balance than do traditional work schedules." http://money.aol.com/news/articles/j...727x1200224288

07-05-2008, 12:14 PM	#19
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,782 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	I think we should make the week 8 days long, divide the work population in 1/2 and have one half work their job the first four days while the second half plays than switch and work the new force works his/hers counter part's job the next four days. It would solve unemployment and be great for everyone. Imagine half the traffic half the lines and everything always open. Last edited by baja; 07-05-2008 at 12:17 PM..

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07-04-2008, 12:38 PM	#2
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,057 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	I worked a 4 day work week for 6 years and now I am on 5 8's. That extra day off is such a benefit. Heck I guarantee productivity on the days people work will go up.

07-04-2008, 08:25 PM	#4
Spider Mr Diplomacy I survived Tebow Mania at the Mane Join Date: May 2001 Location: Elway was just an arm =MacGruder Posts: 84,438 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	14 hour days 5 days a week and 6 hours on saturday , sundays off ...... although I can take saturdays off ....

07-04-2008, 08:32 PM	#5
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,782 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	damn you drive for 14 hours at a time?

07-04-2008, 08:40 PM	#6
REB LP.org/L4L.org "This one's for John!" 3:16 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: 'I guess he'd rather be in Colorado' Posts: 8,723	That's a hell of a lot of driving you crazy arachnid

07-04-2008, 08:52 PM	#9
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,782 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	Damn I could not even stay awake for 14 hours driving.

07-04-2008, 08:56 PM	#11
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,782 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	What do you haul?

07-05-2008, 02:08 AM	#13
gunns I WANT DEFENSE! Defense, defense, defense Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Always Hoping Posts: 11,648 Adopt-a-Bronco: Defense	Our department started hedging on the 4 day work week after Huntsman announced. We've got a totally new computer system coming into play in 3 months, they said they worried about productivity going down, 1 less day to serve customers, plus the child care issues of some. The majority of employees said hell no, we want it. We're still working 40 hours, we'll finally be serving the working customer after hours, and a job rarely rearranges it's schedule to accomodate an individual employee. So they are doing it. I used to work a 4 day work week, loved it, but remember dragging myself home the last day. But I'm looking forward to it. It'll take some time but this job has become so stressful that extra day will be sweet. 3 day work weeks on holiday weeks. Whoohooo!

07-05-2008, 07:49 AM	#15
TailgateNut Bleedin' orange! .......as much as tebonites Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mile High Posts: 20,018 Adopt-a-Bronco: Howard Griffith	We've done the same (4 day work week) on any project which does not have work restrictions set by the municipality. Our employees love the extra time off and the gas savings. reducing the travel by 1/5th helps the "cash flow".

07-05-2008, 08:06 AM	#16
Spider Mr Diplomacy I survived Tebow Mania at the Mane Join Date: May 2001 Location: Elway was just an arm =MacGruder Posts: 84,438 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	yeah but a loss of hours .......

07-05-2008, 11:57 AM	#18
Tombstone RJ Ring of Famer Old School Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In the Tetons! Posts: 19,274 Adopt-a-Bronco: WorrellWilliams	I worked a 4 day work week when I was working contruction as a younger man. It was great, you work 4 ten hour days, then get 3 days off. And, if the work is hard (and it was) then that extra day off is really nice. Plus, it gave the guys from out of town an extra day to drive home and see their family. 4 ten hour days just makes sense. Aside from business like retail (Wal Mart, McDonald's, etc.) if I didn't have to work 5 days a week, I wouldn't.

07-05-2008, 01:41 PM	#20
cutthemdown A verbis ad verbera Zimm to HOF Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 32,424	The problem with a 4 day work week is the other 3 days nothing gets done.

07-05-2008, 09:10 PM	#23
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,782 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	Those can be worked out - one set of work does not have to be connected to the other it's just the same position being filled. Each worker is subject to review for his work just like now. What else do you see wrong with the idea, I'd like to know.