This is something that state governments are beginning to look at mandating. What are your thoughts? It's all about the high cost of gas and offices will be open later in order to make up for Friday office closings.

Of course, universities are exempt. I don't know about you, but I've long thought that a 4-day work week would be nice, but how about those who don't work for the government or are exempt?

Mandatory 4-Day Work Weeks

By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY

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 change will apply to about 17,000 employees, roughly 80% 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% 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."


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Well, on first pass it makes sense, doesn't it? After all, if people have 1 less day to drive to work or to take public transportation, that's a 20% savings in transportation costs for a 5-day commuter. I think that most people could adjust to that and would enjoy an enhanced quality of life with, say, having a 3 day weekend. And, that's the way to do it, by the way - when changing from a 5-day work week to a 4-day work week, have the 4 "on" days together and the 3 "off days together.

Many nurses work 12 or 12/5 hr shifts in 3 days or, work a 4-day work week. I worked the 3 days, then changed to 3 nights, and definitely prefer a shortened work week. Once at the job, I'd rather just keep working more hours and get more consecutive time off. However, I currently work a 4-day work week at a hospital that is open 24/7 and have no control over my schedule, so I can be on one, off one on two off one, and working nights, it is not an ideal schedule at all.
That said, I'd like to think that where I work is unique with the scheduling mafia, where our work hours are set up to our disadvantage and we never know what days we will be scheduled to work. I long for a point in my life where I will be able to predict or control my work hours. I work in a dysfunctional workplace where scheduling has run amok and has been allowed to intimidate.

However, a 4 day work week should be a relatively simple thing, and for those who still work 5 days, I'd think they'd enjoy their enhanced access after hours (or early hours) to government offices. Besides, it would save taxpayer dollars on energy, and would be an easy "fix".

I think this is a great idea. It seems to make a lot of sense- cutting back on energy use, saving everybody some cash on gas, etc. I think that if this becomes a widely used system that public transportation will need to adjust to commuter's schedules. I guess one other concern would be childcare. I know my parents always made me go to daycare after school (all the way up to 10th grade.. slightly embarassing but I can imagine the trouble I would have gotten into otherwise) and they always picked me up at 5. Would this push that back further? Wouldn't that affect families who eat together and have that sort of routine?

For someone my age, without kids, unattached, I think this would be great. That would free up a three day weekend, all the time. Good idea.