Practical solutions for people + planet
"TGIT"as in Thank God its Thursday…
Starting next month Utah will be the first state to switch to a 4-day work week for thousands of government employees, an effort aimed at reducing energy costs and commuters' gasoline expenses.
Exert from an article cnnmoney.com"We feel like we can reduce the CO2 in the ozone by around over 3,000 metric tons, as well as have an impact on our air pollution," said Kim Hood, executive director of the Department of Administrative Services.
The employees will put in 10 hour days, Monday through Thursday and then have Fridays off, freeing them to spend time with their kids, attend appointments, shop or anything else they would like. They get paid the same as before.
The state is going to evaluate the program after one year but it will be interesting to see if this model catches on or if more organizations will try other ways of conserving in the work place such as telecommuting, flexible schedules and job sharing.
Exert from an article cnnmoney.com"We feel like we can reduce the CO2 in the ozone by around over 3,000 metric tons, as well as have an impact on our air pollution," said Kim Hood, executive director of the Department of Administrative Services.
The employees will put in 10 hour days, Monday through Thursday and then have Fridays off, freeing them to spend time with their kids, attend appointments, shop or anything else they would like. They get paid the same as before.
The state is going to evaluate the program after one year but it will be interesting to see if this model catches on or if more organizations will try other ways of conserving in the work place such as telecommuting, flexible schedules and job sharing.
4 Comments
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Comment by Susie-Q on July 8, 2008 at 2:38pm - I support any effort to reduce our addiction to work. More isn't usually better, meaning I'm not more productive because I work more hours and I certainly don't make any more money. With time for rest and play, I'd value my job a great deal. I think the work life balance is far from balanced in this country.
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Comment by Valerie on July 9, 2008 at 10:05am
- Ah, yes i completely agree! I often find that the weekends are used for trying to catch up on things that i just can't get to during the week, so when Monday comes around i feel neither rested or particularly excited about returning to work. So i for one am in favor of the motto work smarter not harder
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Comment by Susie-Q on July 9, 2008 at 10:23am
- Urgency is poisonous! I can't agree more. There is very little in this life that is truly urgent and that sense of importance and entitlement that drives urgency is overblown. Chill out!
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The company that builds the software for basecamp (a project management software) recently went to an "alternative" work schedule. The organization discusses the impact of this on increasing morale, decreasing expensive turnover. The title of their blog is URGENCY IS POISINOUS. I found it compelling. He combats all kinds of objections. Check it out!