While gas prices are off their highs the cost of commuting is still far from cheap.  That’s one reason why some employers, like this University (Monsginor William Barry Memorial Library) are experimenting with the four day work week.  Not for the students but for the employees.  For an employee, working Monday thur Thursday cuts the cost of commuting by 20%, and the employer only has to heat, cool, and light the building for four days instead of five. It’s a win win — about the only thing negative is the longer days. Starting an hour earlier and leaving an hour later takes some getting use too. 

Elizabeth Schlaerth (Barry University Archival Asst.) – About the first week I made the switch to the new hours, I noticed the day was a lot harder to get through, and I was more tried the next day.

But Elizabeth adjusted quickly, especially because now she gets a three day weekend, and gets to be out and about on Fridays when most other people are working.

Elizabeth Schlaerth – It is so much nicer to get to be able to do things during regular business hours and not have to make special arrangements to do things after hours.

In addition, the earlier and later commuting hours also reduce her stress by allowing her to avoid peak traffic times.

Elizabeth Schlaerth – Before it use to take me about 45 minutes to get to work… and I only live 4 miles from where I work.  Now it takes me 15 minutes to get to work.

Bottom line, a four day work week does have plus(s) and minuses for both employer and employee, but if energy stays a propriety in this country don’t be too surprise if one day you wake up to a three day weekend.

Money Talks

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