Tulsa World: Work week cut to be discussed

MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 | WIRELESS

Home > News > Article

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Work week cut to be discussed

By ANGEL RIGGS World Capitol Bureau
Published: 7/6/2008 3:24 AM
Last Modified: 7/6/2008 4:29 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — State employees are expected to gather at the Capitol this week to determine whether a four-day work week would help save money for both workers and taxpayers.

Oklahoma's state employees have received only three raises in the past decade, leaving them with little help as the prices of food, fuel and utilities soar, said Scott Barger, the deputy director of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association, which represents about 10,500 state workers.

As the price of gasoline approaches $4 per gallon, cutting one commute a week is one way that lawmakers could help state employees save money, he said.

"Especially in rural Oklahoma, many state employees have a long way to drive," he said.

A public hearing on the issue is set for 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Capitol.

"We're pushing some type of discussion to seriously consider it," Barger said.

Under the proposal, state employees would save fuel costs by working four 10-hour days each week, rather than the standard five eight-hour days.

"You also gain a better customer service perspective by allowing the agency to stay open longer hours," Barger said. "A person working doesn't have to take time off from their job to access those services. By shutting down the state office one day a week, you'll save the taxpayers money."

Oscar Jackson, the executive director of the Office of Personnel Management, said state agencies already can establish "alternative work periods." Many agencies have used "flex-time" for years, and some offer limited telecommuting for certain positions, he said.

"The four-day work week is relatively new," Jackson said, adding that he highlighted the proposal in a memo sent recently to agency directors.

"There may, in fact, be some decisions over the next few weeks or months to determine whether or not a four-day work week for their particular agency would be appropriate," he said.

Among other things, agencies would have to determine whether they could close for one day each week or would have to develop a rotational assignment for employees that would allow the office to remain open five days a week.

Barger said polls show that 98 percent of the association's members favor a four-day work week.

However, the proposal does carry some concerns, including how 10-hour days would affect child-care options for working parents.

Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, and association officials came up with the idea of a four-day work week, Barger said, adding that the idea has spread across the country.

Utah is leading the way, mandating a four-day work week to start next month, and several other states are considering similar moves, Barger said.

"We want to make sure that Oklahoma is not 10 years behind an idea that was groomed in Oklahoma," he said.

City employees in Birmingham, Ala., began a four-day work week on July 1. Their schedules are arranged so that city hall is still open five days a week.

Angel Riggs (405) 528-2465
angel.riggs@tulsaworld.com By ANGEL RIGGS World Capitol Bureau

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Reader Comments

Show: Most Recent Comment First

Add your comment

4 comments have been made on this story so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment loudshirt, (7/6/2008 9:57:34 AM) I hope they are smart and do the rotational thing so that the offices are open Mon-Fri. Just one more reason to work for the government. Oh gas prices are too high lets do less work.
	Report Comment tulsan09, Tulsa (7/6/2008 11:20:24 AM) It's not less work--it's 4, 10 hour days. It's a concept that's been around in the private industry for at least 20 years. Why do Oklahomans whine about so much, then when someone offers an idea for improvement to save money, you whine about that. No wonder OK is in the state it's in. You are a perfect role model of the state's education system.
	Report Comment redbeard, Stillwater, (7/6/2008 11:19:39 PM) Most retail workers already work part time and have no benefits. It's been that way for years.
	Report Comment Tony G, (7/7/2008 8:08:30 AM) I say--NO--I believe they should have to work 6 days a week, the street repairs are way behind, the budget is a mess. I say--if the city employees can't get thier work done in 5 days, why cut it down to 4. Who will suffer from this--the taxpayer would needs access to some public service. Will they cut the police force down to 4 days a week, or the fire dept? The whole idea--is just stupid!

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.