Miscellaneous

Five to Four in Utah and Elsewhere

By Anne Skove, Esq.

If it were non-employed us, the four-day workweek would be a quadruple threat. But for most people, one less day of the week spent commuting, drinking horrific coffee, and working -- even if the remaining four days last ten hours each -- would be a tremendous time- and money-saver.

The state of Utah is moving in this direction starting in August. State employees will work ten hours each day from Monday - Thursday. Fridays, Utah will be closed for business.

Except for the courts.

Sorry, court employees! While Utah State Court Administrator Dan Becker (a really nice guy -- who wouldn't want to work with him 5 days a week?) is sympathetic, the courts have deadlines to meet. Those deadlines are statutory, not Becker-created, so it's on with the show for the courts. Courts will remain open on Fridays.

Still, the courts will try to implement the spirit of the governor's edict. "Becker encouraged attorneys, law enforcement, and the public to use the court's online resources at www.utcourts.gov to save trips to the courthouse in order to save energy and improve air quality. Advances in remote electronic payment, electronic filing of court documents, and remote conferencing for select hearings will soon be available on the court's website."

See Utah State Courts to Remain Open on Fridays, Nancy Volmer, press release (June 26, 2008). See also Utah Is Going to a 4-Day Workweek to Save Energy, Mike Stark, AP/North County Times (July 6, 2008).

Utah's government may be a pioneer in this area, but it's not alone. See also Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Implements Energy Conservation Hours Program, The Weekly (July 7, 2008). From Oklahoma, see Lawmakers to Consider 4-Day Work Week for State Employees, Marla Carter, KJRH (July 7, 2008). Some New York counties may do the same; see Employers Consider Four Day Work Week, Jasmyn Belcher, WRVO (July 7, 2008). From academia, see UC Experiments with Four Day Work Week, Local 12 (July 7, 2008).

Looks like a trend, particularly because it passes the 3-part test: 1) saves money, 2) saves time, and 3) improves staff morale.

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on July 07, 2008 (boomark / email).