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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Colleges, government agencies and businesses across the nation are taking Friday off, in an effort to slash energy bills and save money on gasoline.
Supporters of the compressed four-day work week believe it will reduce energy costs, carbon emissions and give commuters some relief from high gas prices.
The new schedule has employees working ten hours, four days a week, instead of the traditional five-day, eight-hour week.
Colorado state employees could be joining the list of those working compressed work weeks. Republican Rep. Don Marostica announced plans July 15 to introduce a measure next session to adopt the four-day week for state employees.
Marostica said he decided to push for the four-day week after looking at different ways to cut energy costs. While the new plan will save the state energy costs, it will benefit employees even more.
"The real savings is in the two to four gallons of gas employees will save driving to work," Marostica said.
Feedback from state employees has been positive, with some even telling Marostica they are open to working three 12-hour days.
The four-day week will be one of the first bills he introduces when the legislature reconvenes in January. Marostica said he is unconcerned with how the bill gets passed, so long as it does.
"It's just good for the state of Colorado," he said.
Colorado would follow Utah in adopting the shortened week.
Utah Gov. Jim Huntsman passed an order that will give state employees Fridays off. The "Work 4 Utah" initiative kicks off Aug. 4.
The initiative is part of Huntsman's larger goal to reduce energy use 16.7 percent by 2015.
Studies project the compressed workweek will save state employees $300 - $400 on gas annually, according to Kimberly Hood, executive director of the Utah Department of Administrative Services. Huntsman also requested employees use alternative transportation at least one day a week.
The plan will save the state $3 million a year in energy costs.
The environment will also benefit by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the ozone by 3,300 metric tons, which is equal to taking 612 cars from the road each year.
"Working 4 Utah" will be reviewed after a one year period.
For those who have had the shortened workweek in place long enough to see results, unforeseen benefits have accompanied the projected savings.
"In a time of penny-pinching, the four-day work week has provided much-needed relief for Brevard Community College and its employees. It has proven to be cost effective, saving the college more than $267,000 in electricity expenses in the past year and reducing employees' work-related fuel expenses by 20 percent," said Jim Ross, vice president of Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Fla.
Brevard Community College tested the shortened week for eight weeks during the 2007 summer. After employees and students voice their approval, the shortened week was then continued in the fall and spring semesters.
"It has also boosted employee morale, reduced employee turnover and sick leave and attracted more job applicants to college," Ross said of the shortened week.
In the year following Brevard's initial test, employees used sick hours 50 percent less, while annual staff turnover dropped 44 percent.
Brevard's job applicant pool also grew 51 percent after the college adopted the shortened week.
Hood said he believes that Utah's compressed work week will see the same kind of benefits. A study conducted by Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City supports the idea that a shortened work week has positive effects on employee morale.
Utah plans to highlight the compressed workweek in recruiting job applicants.
Metro spokeswoman Catherine Lucas said the compressed schedule has not been considered for the college because 90 percent of students work full or part-time.
"In fact, we're looking at ways to entice students to take classes Friday, Saturday and even Sunday. In addition to great classroom availability, there's better parking and less traffic," Lucas said.
More than 12,000 students took class Monday through Thursday during the previous two semesters. Enrollment dropped to less than 3,000 on Fridays. Saturday enrollment dropped to less than 2,000 for both semesters.
On Sundays, fewer than 100 Metro students were enrolled in classes at Auraria.
Metro geology professor Peter Varney, an expert in Western energy, agrees a compressed week would decrease energy and gas costs 20 percent. But, Varney warned people driving more than normal during the three-day weekend could offset the savings.
Varney cautioned it is not a solution to the energy problems facing us.
"To save energy is going to take a fundamental change in people's attitudes," Varney said.
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