The 4 day / 10 hour workweek:

1
The 4 day / 10 hour workweek A Briefing for the
Governors Commission on Reform and
Restructuring, Simplification and Operations
Committee
 
August 4, 2010
Office of the Secretary of Finance Department of
Planning and Budget
2
The 4/10 Workweek

• The Basics
• Discussion Points
• Assumptions
• Potential Areas for Cost Savings

3
The Basics

• Due to budgetary pressure, state governments
  across the country have been considering the 4
  day / 10 hour workweek as an option.
• The goal of such a move would be real budgetary
  savings.

4
Discussion Points

• Any savings are highly speculative and are
  subject to economic changes, rate changes and
  significant personnel changes.
• Maximum savings are only possible in state-owned
  buildings where all agencies can work this
  schedule. Rented facilities would likely produce
  only marginal results.

5
Discussion Points

• While some agencies that provide direct services
  to the public would be excluded, there will be a
  decrease in agencies ability to respond to
  customers and constituents.
• Impacts on state employees
• Child care issues/additional costs to employees
• Change in lifestyle requirements viewed as a
  benefit/burden

6
Discussion Points

• Would any agencies be excluded?
• Non-executive branch agencies
• Public safety reasons (State Police, prisons,
  etc.)
• Public Health reasons
• Educational reasons (Higher education, operating
  support for K-12, etc.)
• Revenue Generation (ABC, Port Authority)

7
Discussion Points

• Utah state government moved to 4/10 schedule, as
  of August 2008.
• Virginia Department of Forestry started a 4/10
  schedule in October 2009. Employee survey
  results show that 64 percent of staff viewed the
  change as a benefit to working at the agency.

8
Potential Areas for Savings

• Energy
• Custodial
• Overtime Pay
• Commuter Savings (realized by employees, not by
  the state).

9
Questions?