The four-day work week: Coming soon to a town near you
Filed under: Energy, Technology, Economy, People
El Paso is only one of many municipalities that have decided to test out the four-day work week. The leader has been Utah, which switched to the new schedule earlier this summer. The state is on track to keep the system going indefinitely, citing massive decreases in energy expenditure and overwhelming employee support.
Unsurprisingly, most discussion of the issue has focused on conservation. According to Utah state officials, the altered schedule has made it possible to close many offices on Fridays, resulting in a 13 percent reduction in energy usage. Governor John Huntsman predicted that this would save the state $3 million in 2009; although falling oil and gas costs have scaled down that estimate, the state's savings should still be considerable. Huntsman emphasizes that the program should help the state reach its goal of a 20 percent drop in energy usage by 2015.
Of course, not everybody is a fan of the new policy. In particular, employees with small children have complained about difficulties finding extended day care. However, most employees have enjoyed having the three day weekend, even at the expense of a more traditional 8-hour workday. With an 82 percent approval rating among state employees, it seems likely that the program will not be canceled for lack of worker support.
In fact, the combination of employer cost savings and employee enthusiasm has made this program attractive to a variety of businesses. With GM already planning to shift some of its factories to a four-day week, it seems like this trend is only beginning to gather steam. Stay tuned for the permanent three-day weekend!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
8-28-2009 @ 8:42PM
Joseph Blazewicz said...
The four day work week in the workplace is about 30 yrs overdue. I would of liked that when I was working. I tried to introduce the idea to my union, they didn't go for it. Any employer and or union that doesn't go for this idea is backwards.
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8-29-2009 @ 7:25PM
bailoutsos said...
Keep the 5 day work week and cut wages 20%. Let the government workers feel what others are feeling.
8-28-2009 @ 8:50PM
EDDIE said...
THE FOUR DAY WORK WEEK WAS INTRODUCED IN EUROPE ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. IT ALSO SAYS NO OVERTIME AND THE ECONOMY HAS FLOURISHED AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS DROPPED DRAMATICLY. WE ARE ALL TRYING TO KILL OURSELVES TO EARN A LIVING. THINK ABOUT LESS STRESS. LETS GET A CHANGE FOR OUR LIVES AND OUR CHILDREN.
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8-28-2009 @ 9:07PM
Kathy said...
I worked a 4 day 40 hour week many years ago, and it was great having Friday off once you got used to 10 hour days. A three day weekend gives you more time to relax.
8-29-2009 @ 2:54AM
Allan said...
Europe,s economy is hardly flourishing, what rock is your head under or are you an Obmamanite that thinks socialism is the way to go. At anyrate the european economy has been in the tank for years and even as we are discussing this, unemployment is in the double digits.
8-28-2009 @ 8:52PM
Laurel said...
They should do the same thing in schools too.
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8-30-2009 @ 6:43PM
Deena said...
They do do it in schools, smaller schools, and have been doing it for over 30yrs!! I've been out for 20 yrs and we started the 4 day when I was in middle school. Our elementary, middle and high school were all in the same building. We went Tues thru-Fri..it was great!! We didn't get a Spring break, but nobody cared when you always had a 3 day weekend.
8-28-2009 @ 9:01PM
violin said...
Ever work 10 hours a day? It seems like forever! You will need the 3 days off just to recover. At least one of those days you will feel like crap.
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8-28-2009 @ 9:11PM
Kathy said...
Yes, I have been working a 4 day work week for 30 years. Matter of fact that's one of the reasons I've stayed at the same job for 30 years. Never could afford to go parttime and it seemed like the next best thing. You have a day off during the week to take care of other business without having to take a day off and use up vacation time.
8-28-2009 @ 9:13PM
Escalonz said...
I've always felt like crap when I work. :-)
8-28-2009 @ 9:53PM
Tiwi said...
I work ten hour days five days a week (when we can afford it). Doesn't bother me. And no, I don't get over time any more. I guess that's what the economy does to your company after a while.
8-28-2009 @ 10:04PM
centristswillwin said...
believe me, a four day work week is the way to go. After a couple of weeks adjustment, you don't even notice the difference. I worked at a place where there were several options, four days, three and a half days, or a three day work weekend with three 12 hour days,and a great shift differential. If you have an employer who is willing to offer options like this, it sure makes family responsibilities easier to manage. If you think your job sucks to begin with, nothing is going to help, find something new.
8-28-2009 @ 11:28PM
Justin said...
I work 10-12 hour shifts at least 5-6 days a week. After doing this as long as I have it becomes a way of life. Stop complaining! A lot of people don't have a choice. They do what they have to do to support thier family. I would love to have a job that would give me the choice to work a 4 day work week. I'm just thankful I have a job.
8-29-2009 @ 7:56AM
THORA said...
YOU'LL GET USED TO IT!!
GO TO BED A LITTLE EARLIER DURING WORK-DAYS AND ENJOY YOUR EXTRA TIME OFF!!
8-29-2009 @ 2:47AM
Carie said...
One of the main reason I went into nursing is the apeal of a shorter work week. We work 3 - 12 hour days and have 4 days off with full 40 hour benefits. You are exhausted by the end of the third day but it is very worth it for the 4 days off. It is great for family life too.
8-30-2009 @ 8:45AM
matt said...
Tradesmen and service professionals routinely work10-12 hours a day.
8-30-2009 @ 10:34AM
Margo said...
Yes, I worked ten hours a day for five days and brought work home for the weekends. I was a teacher........ Also,
attended workshops and conferences during the summer.
8-28-2009 @ 9:02PM
CW said...
This will only work if there still is concert with the rest of the world with 5 day availability. I did this back in the 80's and later found the workers started becoming unflexible with providing service to the public because it interfered with their "day off". They were returned to 5 day work weeks and ut was sad because I liked having 3 days off. This all about the workers and not the in the public interest...
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8-28-2009 @ 9:08PM
David said...
This is a joke. Seems the idiots in charge fail to realize that busniess's that are open on weekends, holidays and now Friday's will see an increase in customers on Friday's resulting in longer hours for those retail, entertainment and services establishments meaning an increase operating costs and energy usage which certainly use up just as much or more that is saved by a four -day work week for government offices. Fridays are traditionally the businest business day of the week and in my world, Friday is the most common day to get government related business matters taken care of. Employees who work in retail, entertainment and service section do not get three days off, most are lucky to get one day a week off. I work in such a business and have never had a week-end or holiday off in over 14 years. And NO I do not get paid for all those extra hours since I am salaried and work more than 65 hours a week. The idea of Friday;s off is nothing short of a ploy to give workers more time off work - It has no real value in overall cost savings to any business.
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8-28-2009 @ 9:21PM
Kathy said...
I worked at a restaurant, several actually, and working the weekend and evenings that were busiest was great for a student. It was ideal. The managers, yes, they work a lot of hours. But that's management.