A four-day work week sounds pretty tempting. The Will County auditor's office is trying it. Auditor Steve Weber says, "We talked about this program thoroughly as a staff, and at this point, we plan to continue indefinitely." The office has been testing out 10-hour shifts, four days a week with workers taking either Friday or Monday off. This makes sure someone is available during normal business hours. Weber said he's received national attention for trying the program out, and DuPage County has at least asked about it. Jeff Webb, chief technology officer for the Seattle-based Institute for Corporate Productivity, said studies of gas savings have confirmed that consumption would be lessened and that four-day work weeks can be effective, "depending on the nature of the job." What do you think?
Would you like working only four 10-hour days versus five eight-hour days? What obstacles in your job do you see to this working out? How would it affect your life - good and bad?
I'd love to try a four-day work week. But, don't think it would work for the law firm I work at or for child care arrangements. I work at Sears Tower and it's hard enough as it is working an 8 hour day to get back to town in time for child care p/u.
I'm all about employers letting us telecommute more. I think a lot more businesses should look into it.
It won't work for professional daycare arrangements.
Yeah, some of you guys are already keeping your kids in daycare for 10+ hours per day so you can work overtime to keep that McMansion and Lexus SUV. Do the kids even recognize you when you pick them up?
It would be a nightmare. Over 50 year old legs may not hold out on 10 hour days plus 3 hours of transportation. 60 year old legs would have to be retired and Social Security would have to start at 60 instead of an average age of 66.
Let us find a way to get those 8 hour work days to work out.
If Will County employees are working 10 hour days, how come no one answered the phone at 5:01 pm today. Maybe they say they will work 10 hours but only really work 8 hours and get a freebie day at taxpayer expense.
You can not put anything past government. I have never heard of a government employee answering the phone at 5pm and doubt that will happen with 10 hour days. Dupage does not answer at 4:31 even if you are put on hold at 4:25pm. They hung up the phone on the wife who was on hold at 4:30pm a few months ago. They could have at least come on and told her to please call tomorrow morning instead of automatically hanging up on her.
I work 11.5 hour days, 5 days a week. I'd love to cut back to 4 days a week, but there are few attorneys that can only work 40 hrs/week and get away with it. Heck, my hours are low compared to what I used to do when I was at a downtown firm (in the Sears tower as well) during my first few years out of law school.
That being said, I think 4 10-hours/day work weeks would be fantastic.
To Anonymous on July 23: The McMansi folks don't put their kids in daycare (usually). Typically, dad goes off to work and mom stays home. Dad doesn't see the kids too often though. And 4 day work weeks wouldn't change that. Dad would be constantly trying to work just a bit harder to make that extra nut.
For the average citizen (which I like to include myself), daycare is a necessity and a 10 hour day + commuting time wouldn't work. My daughter is going into 5th grade so I really only need after school care, but a 6:00 or even 6:30 p/u is a pinch if the trains are more than 15 minutes late.
Wish I could be a stay at home mom or work part-time, but it's not in the cards for me.
I introduced four day work week in my Life Insurance Canada company few weeks ago. So far, we have been satisfied. But it is of course optional. I believe kids are not so big problem, kindergartens will adjust their hours, if there will be demand and you can reward your kids with one weekend day more. But some people just are not able to work for so long, both physically and psychically (some people are not able to work 8 hours anyway :)). But it's a right step.
Lorne