Tulsa World: Flex-time urged for state workers

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Flex-time urged for state workers

By MICK HINTON World Capitol Bureau
Published: 7/10/2008 2:11 AM
Last Modified: 7/10/2008 2:55 AM

Such arrange-ments are allowed by law and could help save fuel.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The governor and state agency directors were encouraged Wednesday to step up efforts to provide state workers with flexible work schedules that already are allowed by law.

The Governor's Office responded that it is already encouraging the use of scheduling options available under state law, provided that services are not diminished.

"The Governor's Office has instructed the Office of Personnel Management to work with agency directors to determine what flex-time policies can assist state employees, while maintaining the same level of services for taxpayers," said Paul Sund, a spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry.

The Office of Personnel Management issued a memo June 23 encouraging state agencies to take advantage of flexible scheduling.

State Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, said rising gasoline prices make it more important that agency directors are aware of those options.

"They can learn what other agencies are doing, and see if they can do the same thing," said Shelton, who organized Wednesday's hearing.

The flexible work week also rewards state employees who have had only three raises in the past decade, said Scott Barger, deputy director of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.

The Department of Transportation has about 28 percent of its workers on four-day work weeks performing road maintenance during summer months when there is more daylight. But during the rest of the year, the 500 employees maintain regular five-day schedules, said Mike Patterson, ODOT's director of finance and administration.

The Office of Juvenile Affairs launched a 90-day pilot program in July to allow workers several options, including starting work at 7 a.m. or working until 6 p.m. Four-day work weeks also are allowed for some employees.

OJA employees providing direct care, such as those working at the Rader Center for juvenile offenders in Sand Springs, are not allowed flexible schedules.

Department of Corrections spokesman Neville Massie said the agency is willing to entertain discussions of flexible scheduling but noted that 24-hour supervision of inmates takes priority.

The Real Estate Commission is considering a four-day work week for its 18 employees, said business manager Lisa Hays.

Not all state employees want to use flexible schedules.

Cherra Eastep, who works in the SoonerStart program for infants and toddlers, said she and her fellow workers often have to rely on day care and need to have a compatible work schedule.

John Richard, director of the Office of Central Services, which maintains state buildings, noted that flexible work schedules could add to the number of hours when buildings have to be heated and cooled.

His agency is in charge of 2 million square feet of office space, and the state's utilities cost is $3.1 million a year.

He said state leaders should be aware that practices such as a 10-hour work day could possibly add a half-million dollars in costs annually. He said the state needs to consider the cost along with the benefit for state employees.

Mick Hinton (405)528-2465
mick.hinton@tulsaworld.com By MICK HINTON World Capitol Bureau

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	Report Comment Tony G, (7/10/2008 7:54:36 AM) I believe this is a stupid idea.
	Report Comment matt w, Tulsa (7/10/2008 8:10:31 AM) Well a 4 day work week is not really a bad idea, the same amount of work gets done because you are still working your 40 hours, it is just a way to help the employees save some money on gas.
	Report Comment LoveTulsa, (7/10/2008 10:51:58 AM) I BEGGED the last place I worked for to allow me to work Flex time but they said no way. When you have children and a family and a home and those things are more important than your job, flextime could be benificial to both the employee and the company. I quit after being written up for attending my daughter's field day. They wouldn't even let me make up ONE HOUR. And this was a "real" company and a professional career.
	Report Comment chase, (7/10/2008 11:24:28 AM) chase,I queration 4 ten hr,day saves company's money 4 tens or 5 8hrs still requires heating and cooling I do agree this would save workers gas money.why is gov.henry not working on lower gas prices like exporting from mexico where gas is about 1.50 per gallon!
	Report Comment Norm, (7/11/2008 1:05:02 AM) I did this with my staff - going to four 9's (36hrs), instead of five 8's. They were always going over their hours anyway - which blew my budget on unintentional overtime. Now - when they go over (which they always wind up doing) they wind up staying at or under 40. Plus - it automatically cut part of their fuel consumption by 20%. Also - with the longer shift (1-hr a day) It's easier for me to get shifts covered. Some of them used the extra day off to go back to school. It's been good all the way around.
	Report Comment mrducks, (7/11/2008 4:43:21 PM) Sounds like a logical and thoughtful way to benefit everybody. Perhaps the City of Tulsa should look at doing this also since they are so over budget. The police department were on four tens under the previous administration. The current administration is trying to reverse that and put everyone back on five eights which does not seem logical since the department claims to be so overextended on the fuel budget.

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