Lawmaker urges 4-day workweek
By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Javier Manzano / The Rocky
Rep. Don Marostica
Shifting state employees to a workweek of four 10-hour days would save Colorado millions while cutting energy use, air pollution and traffic, a Republican lawmaker said.
State Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, said Wednesday that he has received a wave of positive reaction after filing initial paperwork for a bill that he plans to introduce in January.
"Word just spread through the Capitol, and everywhere I went people - including people in the governor's office - said, 'This is great. Let's do it.' "
"It's $4-a-gallon gas prices that are really pushing this," Marostica said.
He said he has received more than 60 e-mails from state workers who are "very enthusiastic."
"Workers are saying, 'Why am I spending $25 a day on gas that just comes out of my bottom line, when I can go to an extra day off and save that money,' " he added.
The cost-saving idea has gathered momentum as other state and local governments move toward a four-day workweek to combat soaring fuel prices.
Utah will be the first state to move to a four-day workweek starting Aug. 4.
Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman signed an executive order to create the one-year "Working 4 Utah" experiment. It allows 17,000 of 24,000 employees to work four 10-hour days.
Corrections, human services and a few other critical agencies will remain on a five-day schedule, but everyone else will have Fridays off.
Turning off the lights, the heat and the air conditioning on Fridays in 1,000 of 3,000 government buildings will save Utah about $3 million a year out of a state budget of $11 billion, Huntsman's office said. The state also will save on gasoline for official vehicles.
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July 16, 2008
1:34 p.m.
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Bagel writes:
Spectacular jacket.
Sarcasm aside, I'm completly in favor of a 4-day workweek, but how many people would actually stay at home on their 5th day and not use more gas to go skiing?
July 16, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
Let's see...That's 2 more days than they're putting in now right? Yea, i'am down with that.. Ha,ha.
July 16, 2008
1:47 p.m.
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mtb writes:
haha Buckwheat!
I brought up the idea to my bosses but as a private business, we'd want to have people in on all five work days still so some would get Monday off and others Friday. Even if the building is still in use, having that extra day of not paying for gas/parking could be helpful.
Bagel's point is well taken as well, not sure if that's a major point of concern though for the city/state. They may be just looking out for their own energy costs. . .
July 16, 2008
1:52 p.m.
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CheapEnergyNow writes:
The proposal is to go from 5 - 8 hour days (40 hours) to 4 - 10 hours days (40 hours) and a state employee offers 3 - 12 hour days (36 hours).
"I got an e-mail last night from a state employee saying, 'Let's do three days a week, 12-hour shifts. And we can get all our work done,'" the lawmaker recounted.
You've got to love the talent that the state employs. It must be one of those new union workers.
July 16, 2008
2:34 p.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
Seriously, it would work saving energy for the state. But only for non-essential personnel. Would be nice to have the DMV or maybe County Clerk open a little extra during the day, then close on say, Mondays.
July 16, 2008
2:39 p.m.
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temurlan writes:
I do the 4 10s and love it. I do head up for 3 day ski weekends in the winter but I would be doing 2 days anyway.
July 16, 2008
2:41 p.m.
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Acemon writes:
How about considering the inconvenience to the PUBLIC? When you need government assistance or have questions answered or pick up some paperwork, just imagine the frustration of not being able to get what you need!
July 16, 2008
2:41 p.m.
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aRe writes:
When I used to work 4 tens I actually felt like I worked harder when I was in the office. Having the extra day to have for the whole life/work balance made me a far more productive and happy employee.
July 16, 2008
2:45 p.m.
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robertzimmerman writes:
"Why am I spending $25 a day on gas"
I shouldn't think that too many people use 6 gallons a day for their commute.
July 16, 2008
2:56 p.m.
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SteveFesch writes:
Good job Mr. Marostica. It makes sense. Good to know some people at the capital are concerned with our states finances.
July 16, 2008
3 p.m.
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fastnloose writes:
4-10hr days sounds good,but I did it once,staying focused for 10 hrs. is tougher than you think.Especially if for whatever reason, you need to stay longer to complete the task.I used the extra energy at my house, instead of work.Also drove around on Fridays,probably more than if had I been at work.I say this would not save as much, as the legislator would hope for.
July 16, 2008
3:02 p.m.
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alykat797 writes:
The concern regarding an inconvenience to the public is one to consider and sounds as though it is not being overlooked. It will more likely make access to some of the state services easier for the rest of the working public as the offices will be open longer during the day. Yes, we will have to adjust to verifying which days the specific offices are open, but just think about the DMV. If they're open longer you wont't have to take time off (or at least as much) and imagine if they were open on Saturdays.
The idea that people may want to go and "play" on the extra day off is their choice as well. Reducing the work commute by one day provides the option of saving on gas and may actually stimulate the economy by allowing people to enjoy our great state more.
July 16, 2008
3:07 p.m.
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JMH writes:
Did 4 - 10's for years now. You are much more productive because a 3 day weekend gives you a good break & you come back well rested and ready to go. I went back to working 5 -8 's for awhile and while the days flew by, the week dragged and by the time Monday rolled around again, I felt I had never left.
As far as energy costs go, this would save a ton!
July 16, 2008
3:12 p.m.
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temurlan writes:
Government jobs are a good start but how about an initiative to encourage local businesses to do the same. Granted, only some industries would be feasible but think of the improved traffic, air quality and gas savings with fewer cars on the road. Some could be off on Mondays and some can be off on Fridays. Less congestion on 2 days a week.
You get used to the 10 hour days pretty quickly.
July 16, 2008
3:27 p.m.
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bookwerm writes:
I would like to see LONGER DAYS so they are in when people do NOT work.. this stupidity of having public service offices.. that interface with the PUBLIC (who have jobs) only open when folks are AT their jobs is stupidity. The ERIE post office should get a stupidity award. .. They CLOSE at LUNCH! 12 to 1. Yep. Must have been deprived of oxygen, fish, and brains at birth. So yes, I would rather have offices open FEWER days but LONGER days so I don't have to take off time from work (if I am lucky!). we STILL have folks who don't have to go to work during the day? yep.. but they are the minority. They work for US! Their hours should be what makes sense for US! Open at 6AM, go before work.. stay open to 8PM, OPEN at LUNCH.. be useful for goodness and sanity's sake!
July 16, 2008
3:33 p.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
Also schools to run from day AFTER Labor Day until Friday before Memorial Day. (instead of running the AC half the Summer). There were 25-30 kids in my class, no need for rotating school sessions. Now of course that was before descipline was taken out of the schools (pre 1970). I don't want to start another thread here, but you get my point.
July 16, 2008
3:56 p.m.
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zippy66 writes:
"Workers are saying: 'Why am I spending $25 a day on gas that just comes out of my bottom line, when I can go to an extra day off, and save that money."
At 20 mpg, that's a 125 mile round-trip commute. How many state employees live 62 miles from work?
July 16, 2008
4:19 p.m.
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fdougadkins writes:
Hey, wonderful idea. Why not cut expenses by reducing the hours paid to 32 hours. Nothing in business says we must provide 40 hours each weeek. If we had a business in this condition we would cut staff in order to bring expenses back into line.
July 16, 2008
4:25 p.m.
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Steph writes:
4-10s sounds like it would be a good setup. I just wish I had as many days off as the *#&$ government employees do.
July 16, 2008
4:34 p.m.
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farsidefan writes:
Why not include the legislature ? Have the JBC meet to review the annual budget. Bring in the legislature for a two week period to review their work. Vote on it, compromise, be done with it and go home. No new laws for a year.
July 16, 2008
4:35 p.m.
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Vector049 writes:
Cut the smoke breaks first.
July 16, 2008
4:38 p.m.
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T1anda writes:
State workers(loosley)don't even put in 2 real hours of work a day compared to private industry. A 4 day work week means they will only work 8 hours in 4 days. It's not surprising that they would salivate over this.
I worked for the state for years...cushiest job I ever had!! Believe me it's true!!
July 16, 2008
4:58 p.m.
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jjez writes:
Zippy--they all drive huge SUVs? I know someone (not gov emp) who lives in Springs & drives to Littleton every day. And drives an SUV. So it could be feasible that they spend that much. But it's probably only the spokesperson who does. Or else he's prone to exaggeration. I could see it being okay as long as it is NOT a service department. And of course they're day off would be a Monday or Friday. Why not make it Weds? Then the employees really would be saving money because they wouldn't be spending it taking a long weekend in the mountains. Wish I could have a 3-day weekend every week! But even with 28 years of service with my company, I can't even get an entire week of vacation during the summer! Sure, I'm only a little bitter about that! ;-)
July 16, 2008
5:10 p.m.
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Denverbusinessman writes:
If they cut the number of public employees, the remaining ones would have to 'pick up' the workload.
If the average number of productive hours that each employee performs is approximately 2.5 out of the existing eight, you can do the math...
they have more than enough time in their eight hour day, five days a week to become not only more efficient, but also save the taxpayers the millions and many millions more being proposed with the four day a week position.
All the four day a week, ten hour day is going to do is give the lazy public employees one more day off and an extra two hours a day to be under-productive.
July 16, 2008
5:25 p.m.
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jbowen43 writes:
It would be a big help for working people to be able to do business in the government offices an hour earlier and an hour later. Some drivers license offices could be open on weekends, too.
July 16, 2008
6:39 p.m.
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wisdomwriter writes:
Having spent four years in government, I would rather see employees having a three day weekend every other week (working 9 hours for 8 days, 8 hours the 9th day, and get the 10th day off). I would also recommend doing this only for hourly personnel and not for salaried employees. I would also ease the terms for dismissal (read: firing) when employees are caught abusing the systems or simply not performing up to task. Also, if an employee needs to work 5 days one week, then so be it, no complains, grievances, etc. That's how it works in the private sector, after all, where the system has proven to be successful in some areas (not all).
If you think customer services is bad, I can guarantee you is going to get a lot worse as employees who deal with the public will be doing it for 10 hours, not 8 or 9, and they will be cranky and less inclined to help...
Why don't we wait and see how it works in Utah first? I can almost guarantee it will fail.
July 16, 2008
7:50 p.m.
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navymom writes:
Okay, so let me see if I have this straight, government offices, where we already experience long lines, wait times and difficulty actually getting to speak with someone on the telephone, now want to shut down one more day a week? How are they going to decide which offices are essential to stay open on Fridays?
I can see a number of problems for the business community, if not the general public. If you are working and need a question answered, permit issued, or a myriad of other things, why should you have to wait 3 days to get an answer? Trucking companies will not always know by the end of the state's business day on Thursday that a load is going to be ready to move on Sunday. If a load is ready unexpectedly on Friday, it won't be able to be moved until Monday because a permit could not be issued until the DOT office opens back up. A two day wait is bad enough, but a three day wait is intolerable.
Also, if they encourage private businesses to follow suit, who will decide which businesses are open which days to save energy. What if all private businesses decide they want to shut down for three days, namely Friday, Saturday and Sunday? You will have the same traffic issues, the same number of people on the roads.
If the state offices do stay open 2 hours later, how will that help the public after working hours? The DMV will be just as crowded because everyone that would have been there on Friday will now be there on Monday through Thursday. If everyone waits until after work, the office will still have long lines. Some people may even be forced to come back another day because they will not have time to process everyone.
I understand that it is Utah that is closing for three day weekends, but if the Legislatures' reason for doing this is saving money that is what Colorado will ultimately choose also.
"Marostica, a member of the Capitol Development Committee, began thinking last year of the savings of cooling and heating buildings later in the evening rather than at peak daytime energy rates." The only way to do this is to have split working schedules or have government employees working from maybe 5pm to 2am, which is not practical. Peak energy usage for air conditioning starts when the day starts to heat back up. Peak energy for heating is at night when the air cools off. Overall peak is in the daytime when all businesses and government offices are open.
I don't for one minute believe that "employees are so eager for the four-day workweek, they're e-mailing him with ideas about working Saturdays to keep driver's license offices open on weekends for public convenience." I don't for one minute believe that they are going to opt to work Saturdays, besides the fact that initially it was proposed to save money by having these offices open fewer days.
July 16, 2008
7:51 p.m.
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navymom writes:
Don't get me wrong, I am all for saving energy, money, etc. but why not get the state employees to be more productive. I have walked into states offices and waited while the state employee sits and talks to a friend after finishing official business with them or is handling personal phone calls or business while I wait. I don't accept that from my employees and it shouldn't be accepted from state employees. So when wisdomwriter says "I would also ease the terms for dismissal (read: firing) when employees are caught abusing the systems or simply not performing up to task. Also, if an employee needs to work 5 days one week, then so be it, no complains, grievances, etc. That's how it works in the private sector, after all, where the system has proven to be successful in some areas (not all).", he is advocating government waste in the form of unearned wages.
July 16, 2008
8:58 p.m.
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wisdomwriter writes:
Navymom,
My comments may have come off the wrong way. Right now it is so hard to get rid of an employee that it is easier to shift them elsewhere. It takes a minimum of 9 months to fire an employee for performance-related issues, and that's without appeals. The only way to get rid of an employee quickly is if they commit a serious offence, like drinking on the job, violence in thw workplace, etc. So my point is that it should be easier for managers to fire employees...
My other point is that if for whatever reason, a salaried employee needs to work that fifth day, he/she should do so without getting paid an additional cent or without any complaints or grievances. Salaried employees do not get paid overtime in exchange for a guaranteed salary, so I fundamentally disagree with the 4-10 schedule for salaried employees, because it should be whatever it takes to get the job done.
My job in government was to find efficiencies and cut costs, thus eliminating government waste. While I was successful in what I set out to do, I can tell you that there are plenty of employees that do not earn their compensation and I would never advocate for that.
July 16, 2008
8:59 p.m.
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catlady writes:
Navymom,
You're silly. People have lives outside work, even us lowly State employees. Sometimes I bet you take personal calls at your job yet you are not demonized for doing so. State workers are people like everyone else... we have kids, doctors, banks all of which on occasion require our attention during the 8am to 5 pm shift we do at work. I can only do some personal interaction during business hours. If I use a phone at work to make call I am available to the public. If I take time off from work to handle personal business, I am unavailable to the public and my co-workers which is a problem for everyone as I am the only person in the whole state who can do my job correctly. State work is not the picnic you think,Navymom. You should thank us, not bad mouth us.
July 16, 2008
9:43 p.m.
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navymom writes:
wisdomwriter, thank you for clarifying your comment. My misunderstanding entirely.
catlady, I own my own business so I set my own work hours and work more than many people for less pay than a lot of people. In fact, my employees get paid very well (this fall and spring when I had a customer quit paying on a $200,000 bill, my employees did not get laid off and still got paid while I lived on credit to weather the storm). I expect my employees to work not conduct personnel business when they are on my dollar. Doctor calls, banking etc can be attended to during breaks and lunch. Emergencies are an entirely different matter.
I disagree with you that if you "use a phone at work to make call I am available to the public". If you are on the phone, you cannot answer a phone call from the public unless you immediately hang up. If your phone is the only phone in a small government office, then you are tying up the phone that someone may be trying to call in on. If you are talking and someone needs your attention, as has so often happened to me, you may not immediately hang up to attend to the public person who helps pay your wage. I go into the office here in Grand Junction to talk about sales tax and revenue issues with the state employee who handles this one person office. Sometimes I go and the office is not even open during posted business hours. One time recently I went in and as usual there were a number of people waiting. As we waited for him to conclude his business with the person who was in his office, we had to sit and listen to him talk about family and mutual friends for a good ten to fifteen minutes. This was a waste of taxpayer dollars and a waste of the time of the individuals and business people who were waiting to conduct business.
You made my point to an extent, if you are the "only person in the whole state who can do my job correctly" then why should we have other people who do the job at all. I do respect hard working state employees. My point was the same one that I make to my employees, personal business on personal time and work business on work time.
July 17, 2008
7:13 a.m.
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hdfresh writes:
Alot or most support places and manufacturing jobs are 24/7 so that wouldn't work too well as far as saving money on energy costs.
July 17, 2008
7:20 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
I couldn't agree with you more Navymom!! Spot on!!
July 17, 2008
8:14 a.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
Well said Navymom!
July 17, 2008
8:46 a.m.
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rwmorrisonjr writes:
Agreed 100% Navymom!
As a recovering former state employee, you reduce the workweek down to one day per week and actually get a full 8-10 hours of work out of most employees. I've come to realize that many government agencies are nothing more that employment agencies for unemployable adults to keep them off the welfare roles. And while there are good people who try to do their jobs, their actions are handicapped by those who don't and unsupportive management people who are more worried about retiring in 3-5 years than actually providing excellent service and implementing improvements.
An even better solution would be to trim the state workforce by 50%, just imagine the savings we as taxpayers would realize: fewer salaries, less rented office space downtown, and less traffic during rush hour. Sure, that would upset Ritter and his union bedmates, but I'm not concerned about their welfare, I'm concerned about mine and the state's.
July 17, 2008
11:06 a.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
That way the lines at DMV and other government offices will be even longer!! Since the same number of people will still be required to use government services, but those people will all be squeezed into 4 days instead of 5!!!!
And instead of driving the 20 miles to work on Fridays, the government workers can use that day to drive 80 miles to the mountains! That should save a lot of gasoline! Sort of like a "burn a village to save it" strategy.
July 17, 2008
3:24 p.m.
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eticket writes:
take a quick look at the math from Utah...saving $3M on an $11B budget. = three hundreths of one percent savings to govt. and then consider the loss of services to the community...the gas savings helps the equation for the pro 4 day week side, but we all have to pay for our gas. why should gov. workers get the break if others don't. Seems to me that it is window dressing for the govt. saying they are doing their part to conserve...at what cost to the person that requires govt. services...plus, many CO state govt. workers already have the opportunity to work 9 9's and take every other friday off.
maybe a better solution is more telecommuting for responsible results oriented govt. workers...but is that an oxymoron?