County nixes short workweek
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
BENTON COUNTY ó Benton County is no longer considering a four-day workweek for county offices.
ì When (the proposal for a four-day workweek ) came up, there were a lot of pros and cons to it, and we asked for opinions from employees and from folks who live in the county. I was looking for 75 percent of the county to say yes (to the idea ), and it was about 50 / 50, î Judge Gary Black said. ì At this point in time, we are not going to pursue it. I do believe that if the gas crunch keeps going on, and I believe it will, that the state government and the federal government may decide it is smart to shut down for a day. î
Many people who offered their opinions on the shortened workweek expressed their concerns that having county offices closed for an additional day would cause the county to be less efficient. Black does not believe that would have been the case, saying a three-day weekend, in his opinion, would give county employees more time with their families and would increase productivity in the workplace.
One option the county is currently offering its employees is a flex schedule under which participants can choose to work four 10-hours days rather than five eight-hour days, giving those employees more flexibility with their workweek.
ì We are giving just as much service, if not more service that way, and we will do it as long as there are no problems, î Black said.
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