While some employers have been proactive in coming up with ways to help their commuting employees with gross gas bills, several state and local governments are testing a new solution that doesn't involve assisting workers with getting to and from the office. In fact, it involves going to work one less day each week.
In Suffolk County on Long Island, Legislator Wayne Horsley has proposed a three month trial that would give employees the option of replacing five eight-hour shifts with four 10-hour shifts. He says the transition would save 461 barrels of oil in just 120-days. These experiments have been limited to public sector jobs so far, but it wouldn't be very surprising if private companies began testing the four-day week waters, too.
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It sounds like a good idea, but then I wouldn't have time to exercise every day after work. Besides, people would probably just use the extra day to catch up on work anyway, so they'd just be working more hours.
1I would like it a lot. But im also single with no kids so I could see how it would be a problem for people who have young children or a more structured schedule. I think it would really work well if you get to chose when your shift starts. Like instead of everyone working 9 to 7 you can choose to come in from 7 to 5 or 8 to 6.
2I had something similar to this at my last job.
3I work 8.5 hours a day to get every 2nd and 4th friday off in the month
I liked it!
to be honest, it's not even the cost of gas that would make me enjoy a 4 day work week more since i live in NYC and i take the subway. it's the idea that since i already work enough hours now to cover a full week in less than 5 days - i would love to have that last day off to enjoy it as i wish.
4I've already done this with a previous job - due to having classes during the week. I think its a fantastic idea, especially for those people who like having more time to relax/run errands etc. Its not easy by any means though - working 10hrs for people used to 8hrs a day can be draining but you get use to it.
5When my husband & I worked at the airport, he had a 4-10's schedule (I was part time and generally worked 5-6's) He absolutely loved it, it made a big difference having that extra day off, where the extra 2 hours a day didn't feel like a sacrifice. But it definitely depends on your attitude, home life, and what you do all day whether that's true for you. Other people working different jobs at the same company hated the extra 2 hours a day and felt like the extra day off didn't compensate enough.
6I think this would be a great idea. I had a job like this once and it was great. It really gave me time away from work and I was refreshed when I returned.
7Sounds great. But then again those with children would have to rearrange schedules for daycares and afterschool that don't have extended hours.
8I'd be all for it, but our company could only do it if the whole industry shifted schedules... so I don't see it taking effect any time soon.
I'd love a 3 day weekend!
9I would be all for it...but who knows how I'd feel once I was amidst it.
10We have the option in the summer to work 4 days a week. We work 9.5 hours a day with 30 minutes for lunch to have either Monday or Friday off. It is a delight to have a three day weekend every week in the summer!
11How about cutting out the commute all together and doing the telecommute thing? Flexible work schedules people can set for themselves with just some hours when everyone's supposed to be working so people can conference with each other and stuff like that. All that really matters is that the work that needs to get done gets done. The way so many employers keep their employees caged in the office at set hours "to get their money's worth" when it's not really necessary for every workplace is kind of crazy. Back when I worked in an office with regular hours, people goof off a lot in the course of a day and then stayed late to look industrious. It's just insane and totally destroys any semblance of work-life balance.
I don't know if it's like this everywhere, but the boss I had at that office would make you stay late whenever he feels like it and you can forget about ever being paid any overtime or even getting your time back in the form of time off. If bosses like that douche have their way, employees would be chained to their desks 24/7 and only paid for a 35 hour work week.
12My boyfriend's company has a program where you can work an extra hour Monday-Thursday and then you get every other Friday off.
13I would just like for our boss to allow us to take advantage of the two day per week telecommuting policy that my company has.
14i'd love it
15the Canadian government has been offering flex fridays forever
The idea of a three day weekend is awesome, but I am not sure how well I would adapt to 10hours a day (actually wouldn't it be 11 b/c of the 1 hour lunch?)I am always ready to go about 1 hour before it's actually time, but maybe I would just be ready to go on the 10hour instead of the 8th?
16I already work a 4-day week, and I love having Fridays off to get things done.
17I wouldn't care about the gas thing - I walk to work. But I already work almost 10 hours a day anyway. It'd be nice to get Fridays off every week.
18I work 9 hour days and get every other Friday off. I love it. And while I agree it's a great perk for an employer to offer I disagree with the idea that it'll save gas....because on my day off while I don't drive to work I use it to run errands, as I think many people do, so I'm probably driving around more than if I had gone to work.
19I used to work 4 days a week and then was forced onto a normal 5 day schedule after changing positions. I loved having three days off in a row. The only downside was that I was required to work Sat & Sun, which was not such a big deal to my life, but that's when everyone wants to play in the summer.
20My husband did this for almost a year and it was awesome. The three day weekend was so worth it. We would go out on Friday because everyone else would be at work or school and everything was less crowded. Then on Thursdays if he finished his work early, he could leave early from work.
It changed when they fired someone, so they needed him to be there five days a week. He was so bummed. I bet if they offered it to him again he would do it for sure.
I know I would, but I'm going to be an elementary teacher so I don't think that not coming in on Fridays would necessarily work out!
21I don't think this will help save gas, but having this option or the other ones people have talked about (working an extra hour every day for a Friday off etc) would definitely make me happier and less stressed out! I feel like I have to cram so much stuff in after work and on weekends I can never relax.
22I would love it...but work 11 hours for 5 days a week - so it might kill me!
23I would LOVE this! I live an hour away from work, and I usually stay a little late anyway! However, when you work for the media, it's not really possible.
24Amen!
25I telecommute currently, but would still like to do this. I'd love to have Fridays off to just do whatever, get things done, RELAX! I wish they'd do that here!
26Renees3, I'm with you!
I'd love the day off, but I'd probably spend it driving around shopping/running errands.
Also, the extra 1-2 hours every day would be too much on some days. I used to work 9 hour days and get EVERY OTHER Friday off. That was nice!
27I used to work 4 10's and I loved it - it was great since I could make appts. when most people were working.
28I would love this! It would save me an hour and 15 minutes of driving time, and I'd get more sleep; less driving would mean less stress from that. I'd also have a whole day to run errands instead of trying to do them all after work when everyone else is trying to do theirs too. Environmentally, I'd save 2 gallons of gas for the round trip I'd be missing.
Work-wise, I think I'd be more productive because every day when I go in, I have to spend time answering emails and getting back in the groove. With a 4 day work week, I'd only have to spend time getting in the groove 4 times instead of 5. That'd give me at least another hour in productivity.
29It doesn't have a thing to do with gas, since I ride the subway. I'd love a 4-day work week. I'd do the longer hours without skipping a beat.
30The way my work schedule works is during the season (September-May) I usually do only work 4 days a week (however, those are usually 11-12 hour days).
31its kind of funny but my whole company have the options to work at home, we were all given the tools we needed, laptop air card, fax and printer to do this. so if had a 4 day work week i would still be working
32I would love it, but I'm thinking the courts would be annoyed... the whole system I live in depends on the 8 to 5 work week. I know a couple of coworkers who have enough days off accrued that they could take every Friday from now till retirement off, it just isn't something the boss could approve and keep us all functioning.
I am so jealous of the detectives I work with who have a 4 day week... then again I regularly call them on Monday completely blanking that they don't work my same hours.
One of the schools in my area does the 4 day week, Fridays are off, and a lot of people really love that.
33I would love it from the point of view of a single child-less student. But I think it's unrealistic for working mothers/fathers. Also, my parents already work on average more than 10 hours a day because honestly, that's how much you have to work to get the job done in the competitive business world. So I think this wouldn't work for a lot of jobs.
34yes and no. i commute for three hours every day, so while it would be nice to have an extra day off from that, it would suck to have zero personal time after work.
35not even for the gas issue but because 3 days off is better then 2 days off. plus i already have a coolish boss who lets me work 930 to 630 due to the insane traffic in the bay area, you wouldn't believe the difference it makes.
36It seems like a good idea, but then again I wouldn't want longer days, ew! And I'd get too spoiled with a full 3-day weekend, and wouldn't want to go back on Monday!
37Hey loseseal, I completely agree. I've gone through the samr tyhing at my last workplace ..it was a real hellhole.
38Great idea, but instead of 10 hr days, just keep it at 8. I think we work too much in this country. Who decided 40 hrs was the right number? I think we need to work less and consume less.
39HELL Yea it would suit me! I've always said that a 4 day work-week is ideal...people cannot rest up from 5 days of work in only 2 days...3 days is perfect to relax! But I don't agree with the longer days...I agree with one other poster we do work way too much in this country..Europeans don't work nearly as much and how productive are they!!!
I hope my work gets this idea for sure!!!!!!
40I would love to work 4 days a week! My SIL does this and i am so jealous!
41I have been working 4 ten hour days for two years now and its fabulous. Every weekend 3 days, and on holidays you get an extra day. I have found it cuts down on using sick and vacation leave, too. You can still get business down (household, doctor appointments) on your Friday's off. Its great, you should definitely try it if given the option. Oh, my work hours are flex too, as long as I work core hours (8am to 3pm) I usually hit the gym at 5am and in the office by 630am. You get used to it, and its worth it.
42I already work 12 hour days 5 days a week, so i'm thinking working less hours and days sounds pretty awesome.
43It sure would!
44I already have a four day work week
45At my "normal" job I work 4 days a week already. I work for my photo stuff the other 3 days. I think giving people the option can't be bad!
463 12 hour shifts a week...woohoo
47i'm down with the idea! i would loveee my 3 days weekend. having that said, i don't think i will spend more money on gas versus saving just because i'd be out and about.
48I often work 40 hours before Friday already. Being able to have that day off would do my morale a world of good.
49I already work 4 10's and love it! the extra day off just makes weekends even more enjoyable!
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