I have heard some people toying around with the idea on cutting down the number of days worked in order to try and save energy, although I didn’t ever think people would do it.
Starting next month, in Utah, many GOVERNMENT positions will move to a four day work week (Monday – Thursday). It will be part of a year long experiment.
However, everything comes with a price. Although they will be working less days, now they must work 10 hrs/day rather then 8.
Supposedly the proposed plan will save $3 million per year out of the the state’s $11 billion budget. Seems like a lot of change that needs to be done for such a small portion of the budget back.
Public transportation schedules will have to be adjusted, while still satisfy those with the normal routine. Parents will have to restructure day care plans. Also change is always expensive. No matter what it is.
There can be no real estimate to how much this can benefit the saving on gas because many people will still continue to drive places on these new off days. With stores, restaurants, and services seeing more demand on Fridays, couldn’t that offset energy saved because it is being used in other places?
All and all it seems like a pretty drastic change to try and save government money, while at the expense of others. When interviewed, many said they would use these off days to go other places, so how is gas being saved?
What do you think? Will this idea work? Would you rather work 4 days at 10 hours or 5 days at 8 hours? Do you want to move to Utah?