Would a four day work week work in higher ed?
My home town is considering moving county employees to a four day workweek. Workers would work Monday through Thursday, for example, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and have Fridays off. The day off saves the county money, through mileage reductions, less gas, and savings in energy usage. For employees, they get a day off (always good) and potential savings in gas, child care expenses and more.
I’d go for a four day work week. I’d gladly trade an extra hour a day to get that full day home with my family. I think I’m not alone in saying that even after official “work time,” due to the nature of my job I find myself doing web work at all hours of the night. I would assume that would continue even with an extra day at home.
Is anyone out there on a system like this? Would you be in favor of a four day work week?
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6 Responses to “Would a four day work week work in higher ed?”
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Absolutely. I was on a 4-day work week at UIS in the summer and was just as, if not more, productive. This summer I am working 8-5:30 M-T, 8:30-12 on Friday, and that Friday afternoon with my wife is pure gold. The employee moral boost of a shorter work week is worth more than 2 gallons of gas a week.
And yes, even on Friday afternoons I am still answering emails, reading blogs, researching, working… just from my phone instead of my desk.
2 thumbs up!
I mean honestly Web people can work from anywhere!? Could we not work two days a week in the office and the other two from the house? We also don’t always have to work 8-5 because of the nature of our work. Slice it however you want we could work it…
I think something like this can only work if the academic side of the house only offers classes four days a week. As it is now, a five day work week would be a reduction for my area. The Help Desk is open seven days a week and classes are taught six days a week. We have to be open when classes are being taught, and so much of that support is “onsite” (media services, etc) that it can’t really be done virtually.
i have a similar setup at my job. i work an extra hour a day so that i can leave early two days a week to spend time with my daughter.
it’s been great, and the extra time really doesn’t affect me. working until 6pm is a cakewalk when i used to (voluntarily) stay until 11pm to get work done.
There’s no reason why this can’t work in higher ed. In these times of budget cuts and economic woes all options should be on the table.
I actually have the luxury of working from home full time and so far it’s been working out great. Even if you stayed with a 5-day work week but let folks telecommute 1 or 2 days a week that would be a step in the right direction.
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