(KCPW News) State employees are back to working Fridays this week. The change comes a few months after lawmakers voted to reinstate the five-day workweek, overriding a veto by Governor Gary Herbert. But Todd Sutton, Employee Representative for the Utah Public Employees Association, says surveys conducted after a trial period of the four-ten workweek showed that both workers and the public were happier.
“We went with a DHRM Survey which found that a little less than 85 percent of the employees were either neutral or pleased with the four-ten work schedule,” says Sutton. “The state came out with a survey that interviewed constituents, and a good majority of the constituents were either neutral or found the switch over to the four-ten favorable.”
Utah lawmakers who voted for the switch said it’s the government’s job to serve the public, and by not being open on Fridays, it’s failing to meet its obligation.
Brian Yoho, an electrical engineer in Salt Lake City, has every other Friday off, and is happy to hear he will soon be able to get more services on Fridays.
“That’s my day to get things done with the state, so I would prefer to have Fridays open,” he says. “I’ve heard they closed it for money and it sounds like they didn’t save as much money as they were hoping but if they saved some I guess it was perhaps worth it. But for me personally, it’s more convenient to come in on Fridays than on any other day.”
The state says it will be as flexible as possible for workers, meaning some may still be able to work four 10-hour days, as long as all offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
How do you feel about this topic?
Is there anything else you think we should know? We'd like to hear your thoughts. Send us your feedback using the form below.
