Washington state tries 4-day week to save money
OLYMPIA, Wash. --Feeling the pinch of soaring energy costs, and with a projected budget deficit on the horizon, Gov. Chris Gregoire has asked a few hundred state employees to start working four-day weeks -- an admitted "experiment" suggested by the workers themselves.
Gregoire said Wednesday officials would meet next week to work out how they'll implement the planned four 10-hour days, including decisions on how long the pilot project should run.
The Monday-Thursday work week will be tried for everyone at two small agencies: the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises. Seven other agencies will try the four-day week at selected offices, Gregoire said in a statement.
She also asked all agencies to implement a list of smaller energy-saving steps, such as more carpooling, more aggressive recycling and use of more efficient appliances.
Last month, Gregoire announced a freeze on hiring, out-of-state travel, service contracts and new equipment purchases for agencies under her control. She also told officials to cut gas consumption by 5 percent below 2007 levels, and suggested agencies headed by separate officials take the same steps.
"All of our residents are feeling the pinch caused by rising energy prices," Gregoire said in a statement Wednesday. "Reducing energy use is good for our environment and good for our budget."
The Democratic governor's opponent in the fall election, Republican former state Sen. Dino Rossi, panned the idea as too little, too late. Shortening the work week for a few agencies is "more about making headlines than actually coming up with effective cost savings," Rossi spokeswoman Jill Strait said.
Gregoire said the shorter work week was the top suggestion from state workers asked last month for ideas to help conserve energy. She said the four-day week could eventually involve about 650 state workers who use about 260,000 square feet of building space.
Gregoire said the plan could help save money by cutting electric consumption and janitorial costs at the offices, and could have side benefits for the environment and traffic congestion by keeping some commuters off the roads.
Although affected workers will be getting a three-day weekend, Gregoire said the plan actually could help customer service by leaving state offices open two hours longer on the days they are staffed.
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On the Net:
Governor's letter on four-day work week:
