Iowa considering four-day work week for state employees

Gov. Chet Culver and leaders of a state employees union are discussing the possibility of some departments of state government operating on a 10-hour, four-day work week to save money.

“I like the idea,” Gov. Chet Culver said Wednesday. He's calling for further analysis and consideration of the work schedule change, which consultants tell him could save Iowa $2 million a year.

“I'm pretty optimistic we will be able to find some savings in some state agencies,” he said. “It's not likely we will be able to go to a four-day work week for everyone.”

The state of Utah adopted the 10-hour, four-day work week scheduled in August 2008. Based on its experience, Public Works LLC, a consulting firm advising Culver on budget-saving strategies, says Iowa could save as much as $3.8 million a year. However, in its report to Culver, it used the more conservative estimate of $2 million savings annually.

Utah, which has more state employees, saved approximately $4.8 million in the first year of operating on a 10-hour, four-day work week, Public Works said. The largest part of that -- $4.1 million -- was in the reduction of overtime costs. Employees working longer days seemed to complete work during the 10-hour day and were less likely to need to put in overtime. Other savings likely would be realized from lower utility, maintenance and other overhead costs.

The savings have to be balanced with the delivery of public services, Culver said.

The biggest hurdle will be getting the public accustomed to the schedule, said Danny Homan, president AFSME. “Once the public realizes they can go to an office later in the evening rather than on Friday I think they'll be willing to accept the trade-off,” he said.

Many businesses and local governments already have adopted that schedule, he said.

Besides, House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, said, office closures are happening now as the state furloughs workers to save money.

“I know it's an inconvenience, but if you don't have the money, you don't leave the office open,” he said.

Ironically, Murphy is threatening to keep lawmakers in session five days a week rather than the traditional four-day work week which allows them time to spend at their other jobs and do constituent service.

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