Huntsman on Tuesday spent about an hour pushing a cartload of treats through the department's offices at the Heber M. Wells Building in downtown Salt Lake City, asking employees how they were adjusting to the longer hours.

"It was a reaffirmation that people largely like the new schedule," the governor told the group of reporters, photographers and television cameras that trailed him throughout the building.

Janet Collings, a receptionist in the department's consumer-protection office, told Huntsman that the four-day workweek "sounds like a good idea. I guess we'll have to find out how it works out."

Collings said after her brief visit with Huntsman that his coming to her office "shows he's interested in what we think." She said the longer workdays will take some getting used to, since employees are working an extra two hours a day.

Derek Dalton, who was at the department offices Tuesday morning to deal with an issue pertaining to his business, said he was unaware of the new four-day schedule. But, he said, it wouldn't have bothered him if he had come on Friday and found the offices closed.

"Businesses are open certain times," Dalton said. "You've got to abide by that."

Francine Giani, the department's executive director, said she and other employees will be on hand Friday to let the public know why the offices are closed. Giani herself purchased the pastries that were handed out Tuesday and plans to offer employees energy drinks on Wednesday.

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