Deseret News | State workers more positive about 4-day week

Reader comments
State workers more positive about 4-day week

saving time & $ | 5:56 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

This switch to 4-day work weeks is a good thing for the public and for the state employee. I love being able to get my business done during the noon hour and after 5PM. Freeways are less congested on Fridays because the state employees are not driving and I think it'll save tax dollars for energy costs. So, stick to the 4-day work week and I hope citys, county workers in Utah follow along with what Gov Huntsman has put in place.

Carl Barton | 7:35 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

This program is poor program that serves neither the public nor the environment well. Governor Huntsman has reduced services by 20% to the entire public for a small financial savings in the name of the environment: state workers don't drive to or from work in the cars or UTA buses and don't consume electricity or other resources that could arguably have an adverse effect on the environment. Instead, they spend the day driving around in their cars, running errands, causing even more emmissions. This program is a PR stunt that inconveniences all non-government employees. Get real.

No one is at work at 7:00 | 8:25 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

No wonder the state workers are positive about 4-day week. They now know they don't have to be at work at 7:00 a.m. Try calling any state department before 8:00 and see what you find.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 8:43 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Great program that is doing a lot of good.

I'd love to see the schools go to the same schedule.

One more day to have together as a family.

Anonymous | 8:56 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Uh you can be at work, working, yet not answer the phone yet.

I'm always at work preparing for the day before dealing with the public.

I think most of us are.

Anonymous | 9:45 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

This program is horrible for the consumer. They are hard enough to get ahold of when they are working a 5 day week, now that they only work 4 day week it even limits the consumer's options even more. Imagine if a retail store, cable company, or other service provider didn't offer customer support during the normal work week, they would have many customers leaving and searching for alternatives, however you don't have any other choices with cities and other state or city office.

No successful business would adopt such a terrible schedule, all it does is benefit the employees and leaves out the customer! I guess that is why our state and cities are always in the deficit.

John | 9:52 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Did anyone ever think these morons wouldn't like a 4 day week. They complain to complain. Sums up government and union employees.

Anonymous | 10:29 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

I Walk into the DMV early Monday morning after attempting a Friday visit and found it completely empty of customers. The person that help me seemed completely put off that I interrupted her reading of personal nature. It seems like these employees have more wasted time on their hands with these new early and late schedules. People just aren't more productive working four tens's and it certainly puts off the customers or need I say the tax payers if they can't do business with the state on Fridays!!!!

State Employee | 10:32 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Call me at 6:30am, I'm there at that time and know of several employees who are at work earlier than that.
John: I love the 4-day week. There are weirdos in my office who don't like it though.

observer | 11:03 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

As a hard-working, long-term state employee, I must say that the new work schedule is wonderful. I get to work earlier, have fewer distractions to deal with, and am way more productive. Once 8 AM rolls around, I am ready, willing, and able to answer my phone and assist the public. In addition, I am at my desk until after 6 which allows people with jobs to reach me once they get home from work. Overall this has been a very positive experience and I hope it will become permanent.

For the most part, state employees are hard-working, dedicated, and committed to serving the public. We are not lazy trough feeders as some people seem to believe.

Call Me | 11:02 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

RE: No one is at work at 7:00

Go ahead and call my office. (801) 530-6391, Monday through Thursday at 7:00 am (except holidays). The phone will be answered.

Anonymous | 10:44 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

The State 4 day work week. What due diligence did the Governor initiate or act on with this plan was offered? This idea was a mandate, with little or no input from the working state employees. Folk that have concern or headache re the 4-day plan mostly keep their mouths shut as it's not provident to critique the program. Young mothers, families with disabled or elderly, and those shuttling kids to and from school are heavily impacted by a program that offers little or no flexibility to their circumstances, and many employees in general encourage either a normal 5 day work week or a 9 hour work day where employees take an alternating week day off - this still leaves offices open M-F with a 7:30 - 5:30 schedule. The public and employees would benefit - if the 4 day week were scrapped and an alternative 5 day work period with potential flex or alternate work schedules for interested employees allowed. Speak to "most" state employees re the 5 day work week, and it's rarely a smile they offer. Some support it yes, but there is a growing chorus of those that don't. Governor are you listening?

Anonymous | 9:32 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

The 4-day work week savings is in the utilities, not in the transportation to and from work, though it would be an added bonus if that were the case. As a state employee, the work efficiency sadly doesn't improve with 4-10s, but the demand placed on the utilities grid drops! 4-10s is smart idea, but I think public perception would improve if high traffic agencies were allowed the traditional 5-day work week.

Danielle | 2:30 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Hmmm... I'm a state employee and I answer my phone at 7AM. Most customers are still not aware of the changed schedule so we usually don't start receiving calls until 8 or 8:30. I think that if the public will catch on this would be a fantastic idea. From about five to six PM we do very little business. I do enjoy my three day weekends and anyone that criticizes the 4 10 work week has not experienced it. Try it and you will love it.

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