Comments on: Would a four day work week work in higher ed?

By: Where Great Links Start #7 « Where Great Workplaces Start

Where Great Links Start #7 « Where Great Workplaces Start — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:25:19 +0000

[...] “Would a four day work week work in higher ed?” – Interesting article and comments about whether or not a four-day work week would be suitable for higher education [...]

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:54:34 +0000

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.

By: ron

ron — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:36:59 +0000

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.

By: Kyle Johnson

Kyle Johnson — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:59:21 +0000

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.

By: Kyle James

Kyle James — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:07:20 +0000

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…

By: Bradjward

Bradjward — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:16:41 +0000

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!