Energy costs prompt evaluation in US of 4 day work weeks

Channel NewsAsia, Yahoo News, the blog The OilDrum, The Christian Science Monitor and more are all reporting that United States employers, both public and private, are considering offering more flexible scheduling, including 4 day work weeks and/or telecommuting to help employees defray increased fuel expenses. Each week, sometimes almost daily, US news agencies report gas prices at new record highs, straining the US (and world) economy.

Employee pressure is cited as the number one reason employers are reconsidering the long tradition of a Monday-Friday, 8 hour work week. When Ohio's Kent State University offered their custodial staff of 94 employees the option to reduce their work week, 78 accepted. In Birmingham, Alabama, the schedule is being offered to 2400 public employees and estimates are it could save 500,000 to one million US dollars annually for employees.

The US Society for Human Resources Management found that 26% of private businesses polled were offering a flexible schedule to help employees with increased fuel expenses. The reduced work week can benefit the businesses as well as employees when they are able to shut down for one extra business day per week, reducing air conditioning and other utility expenses. Gas prices are up 30 per cent in the US this year which hit a record $4 per gallon this weekend.

Photo courtesy of Reuters News Service

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