Deseret News | Reader comments: Huntsman: State workers to have four-day work weeks

Reader comments
Huntsman: State workers to have four-day work weeks

TheActuary | 12:43 p.m. June 26, 2008

Politics aside--I'm excited to be able to get off of my regular 8-5 job and still be able to go to the DMV or other state offices after work.

The article forgot one thing... | 12:59 p.m. June 26, 2008

It's also great for the employees who have to commute--for them it's one less day of driving and wasting time on the roads.

service won't change | 1:23 p.m. June 26, 2008

Most gov't employees don't do any work on fridays anyway, even if they are at their job, so this won't make much difference.

(I know this because I'm a state employee and I see it every week).

Comments continue below

RE: service won't change | 2:01 p.m. June 26, 2008

You missed the point this isn't about service. It is about saving resources for both the state and it's employees. I would personally like working 4 days a week instead of 5.

Re: to service won't change | 2:07 p.m. June 26, 2008

I don't know what office you work in, but maybe you should try doing something about it. I know we work 8-5 everyday of the week, don't make accussations about departments you don't work in.

Lady L | 2:17 p.m. June 26, 2008

Does this mean that the DMV will only be open Monday through Thursday? If so that means that those of us who work Monday through Friday will have to take time off to renew driverï¿½s licenses and vehicles. We all know that the employees are not going to work later, so they will just go in earlier and be off by five or six. I donï¿½t know about all of you but I donï¿½t get off work early enough to make it by six to the DMV.

ST. George | 2:24 p.m. June 26, 2008

This should be mandated for all Government and Businesses, except resturants, entertainment, hotels, etc.

Anonymous | 2:24 p.m. June 26, 2008

The obvious concern is about lack of productivity. I would bet that less will be accomplished in 4, 10-hr work days, then 5, 8-hr work days. If the government in turn has to hire one additional person, more than the entire savings of those 6 buildings will be gone once including salaries, benefits, health care etc.

Gas Savings | 2:49 p.m. June 26, 2008

Think of all the gas saved by commuting 1 less day per week. That is 50 trips per year saved per person. That is a lot of gas. I think the biggest benefit will be if the state becomes an example to the private sector. If all regular 9-5 types went into work 1 less day per week, that is millions of barrels of oil saved.

Concerned | 2:51 p.m. June 26, 2008

Great....I thought government employees were cranky now! I can't imagine what they will be like at the end of a 10 hour shift! I am scared to go to the DMV!

Anonymous | 2:50 p.m. June 26, 2008

It's certainly worth a try. Another option is to work nine 9-hour days, taking every other Friday off.

In Addition | 2:57 p.m. June 26, 2008

Not only will thousands of state workers not be on the road on Fridays, but when they are on the road it will be before and after rush hour. This will be great all the way around. Great move. Might as well try it.

Travis | 3:01 p.m. June 26, 2008

I think this will be best for everyone.

Wow... | 3:03 p.m. June 26, 2008

lucky employees. Come and work, out in the oil patch and you will appreciate what the Governor is trying to do...

Re: Anonymous | 3:04 p.m. June 26, 2008

I work for a school district and already work four 10's. We actually get more "hands on" time because we keep working 2 hours after the first 8, and don't have to waste time booting up the computer, getting the day going, etc. It is a much more efficient way to work, and after a 3 day weekend, workers are a lot more rested and ready to go. It is a huge morale boost as well - I would recommend it!!

Another Idea | 3:13 p.m. June 26, 2008

They should also lower the state retirement years to 20 years of service. Because after 20 years, the old employees come in late, stand around and gab, take 2 hour lunches, then make up for it by going home early. I see this every day in many agencies.

RE: Concerned | 3:14 p.m. June 26, 2008

Just think how much happier they will be having a three day weekend EVERY Week.

Dooku | 3:20 p.m. June 26, 2008

I think the Governor needs to extend this to the private sector too with the exceptions of places like hospitals, grocery stores, airports etc. I think it will benefit everybody and the resources too.

utard | 3:23 p.m. June 26, 2008

There will be a pretty hard adjustment period for the state employees. That's two less hours a day spent with family. At least the governor is trying to do something and I applaud him for it.

west valley | 3:28 p.m. June 26, 2008

West Valley City has been doing this for year.

Nice going | 3:30 p.m. June 26, 2008

A bigger weekend for the state employees will help them re-energize and be more productive in the long run. Governor Huntsman is really on the right path.

Mike | 3:41 p.m. June 26, 2008

When I worked for the State our UDOT crew went to a 4 day week many years ago in the 80's. Productivity nearly doubled. Working 4 10's was great. It saved me alot of money on gas traveling to and from work.

This should be considered mandatory for all government agencies and businesses nationwide. Especially now that Oil has us by the throat!

As for Anonymous, you really need to lighten up on issues you'll be happier.

Govt. Workers | 3:42 p.m. June 26, 2008

I should become a government employee. 4 day work week, great benifits, better hours. I wonder what a 40 hour work week would feel in contrast to my current 60 to 80 hour work week?

Anonymous | 3:44 p.m. June 26, 2008

I dont believe this will save gas the employees that have the day off will probably drive around more doing things instead of being at work!

not for everyone | 3:45 p.m. June 26, 2008

I have worked 4/10s in the past and HATED it. I was so burned-out by about 4:30 - 5 that I got very little done in the last half of my shift and was frankly cranky. I found myself getting anoid at the public.

I tried different ways to keep going; moving my lunch break, bring a snack, taking a quick walk outside. It just didn't work. I talked my boss into letting me go back to 5 day work week and I'm happy and loving my job again. Plus, when I get home I'm not a grouch to my husband and daughter, and don't mind going out to "play" for the evening.

TRB | 3:50 p.m. June 26, 2008

You should become a government employee. You'll work a 40 hour week instead of 60-80 AND you'll get paid about 1/3 of what you get paid in the private sector.

Awesomeness.

Lay off 25% of gov employees too | 3:57 p.m. June 26, 2008

Go ahead, work for the Gov. and increase your pay and lifestyle by depending on a legislature to give you a raise. Or your seniority in the office. I worked in state government for a couple years...I was by far the most productive worker...then i realized it didn't matter how good of a worker i was, pay increases was based on time not merit...that is the problem with government work. Hey Huntsman, why not lay off 25% of the state workforce b/c that is how much time is wasted by your employees surfing the web all day 9 (at least!!). In my experience, i could have done the work of 3 other people and still taken 2 hour lunches and gone home early on Fridays. The state government is the most inefficient and least productive work place I've worked in...its almost embarrassing. Laying off 25% would save more than reducing the work week by one day...do both and you'll save taxpayers 10s of millions!

Rip | 4:07 p.m. June 26, 2008

I worked 4/10s for 3 years. Took about one month to get used to 10 hour day. But after that, the 3 day weekend was bliss. I wish I could work 4/10s in my new job, but can't. But I dont' think folks are much more productive in that extra 2 hours of the day, in fact probably less productive. Good for employee morale, for the most part, but not sure it really serves the public well. But worth a try. And most employees where I worked loved it and there would have been a riot had they tried to go back to the 5 day week.

Even Better | 4:24 p.m. June 26, 2008

Just work 40 hours straight, you only drive to work once a week and then sleep for a few days. (Thats about as dumb as most of the comments being posted here)

Anonymous | 5:06 p.m. June 26, 2008

Now the state workers will be out clogging up the roads all day Friday.

Merlyn | 5:18 p.m. June 26, 2008

Governer Huntsman,

Wanna save energy? Get out of the regulation business. Also start living on a middle class means while your there. In this country you are not supposed to govern us unless you represent us.

Ronald A. Young | 5:34 p.m. June 26, 2008

I just do not think that this will save 1 drop of Gas. Plus there are other issues. Such as Extended Latch Key, Extendede Day Care, just to name two.

Chris | 5:47 p.m. June 26, 2008

4/10's??? What are the single mother's/father's going to do with their kids? When are the college students going to go to school Mr. Education man? The savings look great by calculations now. Just wait til we are stunned by the incorrect calculations. I do this stuff and try to save money for tenants of mine. It has never worked with projections, that is why they are projections! Engineers are engineers, their calculations seem to work on paper, but not in reality- once again, I do this at work. It's not worth the "huge savings". Want huge savings, set up employees like Jet Blue does-they work from home and have access to the network.

Anonymous | 10:10 p.m. June 26, 2008

All school districts in Utah should be on a 4 / 10 week as well.

It would save millions for our already strapped education system.

State Worker | 10:12 p.m. June 26, 2008

The State is no different than any other workplace. If people are going to slack, they will, it they are going to work hard, they will. I see people putting in long hours just to get work done, and putting off vacation time to get work done. I do think it will be hard for parents of small children. Daycare.

What's next | 11:50 p.m. June 26, 2008

The governor was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and does not really know how people actually live and try to survive on their state wages. I feel for the single parents because they will be the most affected. It is critical to have time with your children. They grow up fast. Someone might say, so quit, but that is not realistic. It is hard to find day care especially when you don't have family near by. With the state, it's always someone trying to make a name for themselves trying to make changes. They usually waste alot of time and money, then it all changes back within a year. Just wait, this won't last long. Thanks for listening.

oldy but goody | 8:51 p.m. June 28, 2008

Now, if Governor Huntsman would just make it mandatory for public schools, also. I have been teaching for many years, and have always suggested a 4 day school week. I spend many extra hours at school as it is....It wouldn't be hard for me to adjust to it. I would gladly give up my measley 1 hour & 50 min. planning time each Friday. As for the students, they wouldn't miss out on a thing...in fact, they might even have more structured class time. It wouldn't hurt to try it, I'm all for it!!!!!! Come on Gov.....do you have any idea how much that would boost teacher morale?

Bart | 11:07 a.m. July 1, 2008

I think the idea is a farce and the governor gets a feather in his cap while all the State employees have to make all the adjustments.

First, it would not reduce fuel coonsumption for State employees but would increase them. There are few buses that run after 6 p.m. and most employees that ride mass transit would need to drive to work and would be on the road a lot more on Fridays.

Second, air quality would be worse (see above).

Third, conserving energy for State buildings would not be accomplished; it would be a wash at best. It's like daylight-savings time--tacking two hours onto four days do not save eight hours for one day.

Fourth, and biggest farce: it would allow less time for family, not more. Employees would be at home on Fridays while their families would be in school, working, etc. There would be two hours less per day four days a week with family. It would also complicate things drastically for families with children in day care and school. It would be especially hard on single mothers and fathers.

Allowing State employees to telecommute once per week would accomplish the governor's goals much better.

Nonnie | 4:06 p.m. July 3, 2008

Perfect comment, Bart. As the wife of a state employee that uses public transportation and has two kids, this is nothing but bad news for us.

We have always enjoyed having my husband be able to attend most of our kids' soccer games, concerts, school plays, etc., but that will be a thing of the past.

Oh, and by the way, did anyone know that when a holiday falls on a Monday-Thursday, state employees will be REQUIRED to take 2 hours leave if they want the entire day off? Which is better than if it falls on a Friday, because then they are basically out of luck.

Every employee with a family in my husband's very large office feels that they are "taking it in the shorts" - again. The state is hoping to attract younger workers with this? I hope they do, because if they keep telling current employees what they have to give up next, they're going to have trouble keeping the experienced ones they have now.

Bonnie | 4:09 p.m. July 3, 2008

No state employee with a family will be happy about this.

Bart Simpson | 6:54 a.m. July 28, 2008

Utah, Where we don't work to save enery.

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