[flu189]

One of our representatives today floated the idea of having state workers and schools go to a four day week. This concept has been implemented in many states to date, and it is not really a new idea as some businesses and govt jobs have been doing it for years. Of course today the impetus is to save energy and cut employe commuting costs by 20%. I have actually worked such a schedule for a ten year period and liked it despite the ten hour shift. Curious on what folk's opinions on this are and if anyone out there has had experience working such a schedule.

[DareToDream]

Again, I'm not in VT, but in NH My husband has been working for a company that has the four 10-hour day work week and it works out well for us. He works Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is a long day, but he loves the 3-day weekends. I was able to adjust my work schedule so I work Sunday-Thursday so our weekend together is Friday and Saturday. It's nice having Fridays to run errands and do things when places are open for business

The hours took some getting used to for my husband - he makes furniture now and depending on what he's building, it can be physically taxing...he's going to be 59 - but once he got used to it, he enjoys having Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. If we want to get away, I usually take a Sunday off and we have a long weekend get-away without having to use vacation time, which is also nice.

[Katiana]

It would probably be fine for most state workers, as long as they're not doing extreme physical labor. Schools? I don't know. I can't imagine little ones or even teens absorbing much in the last few hours of a long day. And a three day weekend would be difficult for parents who are working five day weeks, especially those with little kids.

[flu189]

I have to agree that three days off will let you get quite a bit more accomplished. By choice I took Tue/Wed/Thur off when I had the 4/3 schedule and it was great in that you could visit places and get shopping done without the crowds. Up here it would work great especially for outdoor activities as many of the popular places get a bit congested on weekends. Climbing up a mountain trail with over a hundred people and dogs takes away from the experience. Some of the state personnel office responses have already focused on the undoable nature, especially for law enforcement. LOL, that is exactly where I worked that schedule and if effectively managed it provided for key overlap when needed as well as training time without cutting back on street resources. I guess when it comes to schools with the majority of parents being employed today it could create some conflicts and for some kids that extra day of idle time might not be such a good idea.

[seanpecor]

I keep an open mind regarding proposals like this but the logistics of implementing such a schedule would be very challenging. If schools were to move toward a 4 day attendance week, then employers would have to do the same. Otherwise, families where both parents are working would be burdened with additional daycare expenses.

It might be more effective to establish a busing fee for families based on the distance from school. If a 9mpg bus has to travel an additional 9 miles just to pick up one child in the sticks, then quite literally that child is costing the school an extra $4.50 each day. Charge the family $11.25/week so they share 50% of the burden of the diesel fuel being used to transport their child. This would provide an incentive for families - over time - to move closer to schools.

Sean

[chrismpv]

I don't think it should be mandatory. I'm for it as I don't have young children. There woulc probably by daycare problems.

School, there is no way the young kids or teachers could last longer day.

I think that 4 days at 10 hours could be offered; also offering some staff to work at home 1 day a week. Now, this would have to be for employees that can be trusted to do some work. I would say that 90% of my work can be done at home. I would go for working at home 1 day a week.

[flu189]

Since this topic came up I have spoken to quite few people and it's unfortunate that many just view it as a means to somehow scam the system by getting an extra day off. I agree that for some jobs and work sections it might not be feasable, but to just to outright rule it out over perceptions of "getting over" is just plain stupid. One individual in particular exclaimed I drive 120 miles a day to and from work five to six times a week, so I don't want to hear any hard luck stories. Now that's the spirit of a true progressive martyr.

[mustmove]

I'm guessing schools would be a problem(daycare, parents work schedules, etc.). Every other state agency would probably be fine.

[Katiana]

I heard a story on NPR a few days ago about some outfit (can't remember the name) offering to let employees work at home one day per week b/c of decreased productivity concerns in a four day work week. Of course, this would only work for people who can telecommute. It would not work for health care, retail and such. For that reason, I think it might not work well for state jobs that provide services to the public.