Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

Just received an email on this, if any one can help out.

Newsday's Patricia Kitchen is looking for help with an article. Please contact her directly at [email protected].


Patricia is looking to interview employers who have initiated a four-day work
week as a way to help employees address the rising cost of gas, even if
it's experimental and not company-wide.

How's it working? What are issues that other employers might want to
consider about this option as they look to provide relief for employees
and their pocketbooks?

Thanks!
Patricia Kitchen
Career/workplace writer
Newsday
[email protected]

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

I don't know who is initiating this, but send me an application!!

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

I've seen this on the news with I believe state employees.
The only problem they see, is on that 1 day off people would be doing more errands and running around and will end up using more gas

BUT I'd take it if it was offered to me

Message edited 6/26/2008 4:41:45 PM.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

They offered it where I work (not on LI).

Only a SMALL group of people are actually doing it. I think a lot of people didn't like the idea of a 11 hour work day to make up for the difference.

Also, some were concerned about job security / performance. They thought they wouldn't be able to get as much done in 4 days as compared to 5 and that their performance would suffer...

I tried to do it, but I kept getting meetings scheduled and things that I needed to do at work on the day I was supposed to be "off". Now I stick to 8.5 hours/5 days.

Message edited 6/26/2008 5:08:18 PM.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

I work 4 days a week, (10.5 hour shifts, I only get a 1/2 hour break). I have off Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I love it!!! I usually get all my cleaning and errands done on Friday, and then I can completely enjoy my weekends.

Oh, and I do work for the state.

Message edited 6/26/2008 7:53:57 PM.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

I would totally do it because I work 11 hours days anyway

My company, which is very old school, finally agreed to do summer hours if you make up the time. that doesn't save on gas though. Now if only they will stop making us wear suits.

I actually worked out a deal with one of my employees to work at home for two days a week to save on gas just for the summer. Working out great so far!

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

I know the counties and state employees here in FL are working 4 day work weeks all summer to save costs and my DH's job is considering it too.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

my husband's company offered him this... However, he works in NJ and commutes to & from queens, so I don't think Newsday would be interested.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

don't get me wrong - I would looooooooooooooooooooove a 4-day work week!!

but how will this save ppl gas money? are people really going to stay home all day and not go to the mall or the beach? I know I wouldn't be sitting home

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

don't get me wrong - I would looooooooooooooooooooove a 4-day work week!!

but how will this save ppl gas money? are people really going to stay home all day and not go to the mall or the beach? I know I wouldn't be sitting home

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

DH just told me tonight, it may not be for a while, but, his boss was talking to him today about my DH being the first to "Try it out".
When it happens, I'll tell him about this post.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

don't get me wrong - I would looooooooooooooooooooove a 4-day work week!!

but how will this save ppl gas money? are people really going to stay home all day and not go to the mall or the beach? I know I wouldn't be sitting home

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

My company tried it, it didn't work out. They went back to 8-5's

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

I work in a small, satellite office from the main company. The company has had this policy in place for a while, but no one here has taken advantage of it--until now.

I approached my boss a couple of weeks ago about trying this out. My husband and I commute together since our offices are close. DH recently accepted a new job (he starts Monday) at a different location, so we will no longer be able commute together.

I haven't decided whether I will work 4 days a week (with longer hours each day) or do 4 days at the office and 1 day at home. But I plan on starting after the July 4th weekend.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

My company did it last year and we are doing again this year.

We have to work 2 extra hours a day Mon-Thu. Then we are off on Friday. We must forward our office phone to our cell phones and periodically check email.

I love having Friday off

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

OMG...we were just talking about this yesterday at our company meeting.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

I would totally do this. I already come in two hours early because I ride the train with DH.

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

My office does this in the summer. Due to day care issues I can't do 10 hour days, but I do 9 hour days and have an extra day off every other week,,,still a bonus to have a few extra dyas off for the summer. My place of emplyment is also offereing benefits for those that commute together..points for credit...GREAT idea. I would totally do it, if I didn't have the drop off pick up issue with my DS...my coworker lives on my same street, silly to take 2 cars!

Re: Newsday needs help re: Employers initiating a 4 day work week

My company has a "9-80" work week. We work 80 hours in 9 days, which means every other Friday off. 9 hour days, except for the on-Friday, which is 8.

There have been studies about the off days, and it's been shown that even if individuals don't do a lot of errands, society as a whole uses much more gas when they are not working. When you are work, you park the car all day... when you are off, you often spend half the day driving. It's definitely not a "green" solution, but it does help moral, and cut down on personal days. We try and do all of our Drs visits and thinks on our off-Friday.