Monday, June 30, 2008
Four Day Work Week in Northampton County?
GrassrootsPa and NBC10 in Philly report Northampton County is considering switching to a four-day work week with ten-hour days. Advantages? Less gas, absenteeism reduced and parking woes reduced. Disadvantages? Ten-hour work days are tough on families and four-day work weeks present problems for prisons and courts.
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23 comments:
How about a problem for citizens who need something from a county office ?
I am assuming the courthouse will still be open and in fact it may be open longer hours. Shifts could be staggered over five days. If the courthouse does remain open longer hours, like 8 to 6, then citizens who need something from a county office will actually have a better chance of getting it.
If they go to staggered hours, they'll be short-staffed a good part of the time, and that will make for longer lines and wait times than is otherwise the case.
Also, the skeptic in me wonders if this is for less gass, absenteeism, etc. or if this is another perk for county employees. I'd LOVE a 4 day / 10 hour schedule, and I'm sure they will to. Do you know who in county government brought this up?
I still think it will be a major inconvenience to citizens though.
By the way Bernie, nice job handling the Casey thing. Putting it kindly, he's a piece of work.
My own experience is a little different. Gene Hartzell, when he was county exec, kept the courthouse open until 5:30 PM every Tuesday. Some people came in later that day. It worked out fine, and it was actually something that helped make the courthouse more accessible. Now, w/ a four-day work week, if everyone wants off on Monday or Friday, the problems you mention could be a reality. But if that is broken up, it might work. It's worth trying on an experimental basis. This plan is being considered by the exec, but I don't know who originally proposed it.
I hope you're right, but I'm so damn cynical about any form of government anymore that I can't stand it.
By the way Bernie, nice job handling the Casey thing. Putting it kindly, he's a piece of work.
Thanks. It's a little disturbing to wake up on Sunday and find oneself depicted as a bloody murder victim and then get a comment from someone telling me he would kill me if he could get away with it.
What's even worse is to read Casey brag, in response to complaints, "wait until you see who the killer is!"
He's the killer. He's the author of that garbage.
According to the Pa. Crimes Code, "A person commits the crime of harassment when, with intent to harass, annoy or alarm another, the person: ... engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which serve no legitimate purpose."
Instead of bragging, he needs to apologize for that offensive post.
Couldn't agree more - no kidding, contact the DA's office. Too many nutjobs out there.
I have submitted a comment to Casey's carefully moderated blog, quoting the pertinent section of the Crimes Code, and asking that he immediately apologize.
Many Human Service people already have Alternate work schedules. It is my understanding, if they want, they can already have a 10 hour work day..It apparently has caused no issue. Others who were not interested have stayed with their 8 hour schedules so there is no problem with coverage..
Great, now I have to keep his blog up to see if he posts it!
Don't hold your breath. I will email my request direcctly, too.
By Human Service, is that the equivalent of Human Resources, or Personnel? If so, they support county employees and not the general public, so I wouldn't compare the two.
Human Services = Children & Youth, Area Agency on Aging, etc. It is not human resources.
Some police departments work 10 and/or 12 hour shifts. Also fire departments and EMS. It works. Offices would not really be shorthanded, they would still have the same number of hours working every week.It is a really good idea and hopefully it will spread to the private sector.
Ok, I'm outnumbered here so I'll stop and hope I'm wrong!
Now you know how I feel!
It's a dark and lonely place...
The 10 and 12-hour shifts work great in healthcare because then there are less open shifts to fill.
It really has helped our gas budget that DH works 12-hr shifts - so much less driving than five 8-hour shifts.
I'm sure it could be worked out somehow, although I do think the concerns of anonymous are definitely valid. I've had some horrendous waits in line at the courthouse with "full" staffing.
every little bit helps this gas crunch is hurting everyone, my sons employer has started the 4 day work week to help employees get some relief, he was spending a days wages just to travel back n forh to work . things dont seem to be getting better i hate to see my heating bills this winter. i applaud any company who is willing to at least try to offer some relief. thanks for the post.
It will take three years and six committees for Stoffa to decide if he should do it.
Seriously folks, do they really work a full five days now?
Why so much negativity towards county employees all the time? As far as the rank and file employees go....these people have just as hard a time as the private sector just trying to make a living and put food on the table. Why does it bother people if they are offered a four day 10 hour day work week? It's still 40 hours.
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