4-day week could cut state's energy, gas bills
Anyone who drives on O'ahu highways knows the benefits of weekends, holidays and summertime — fewer commuters going to work and school, fewer cars on the road.
These days, there's a real economic benefit: Less time idling in bumper-to-bumper traffic, getting nowhere while burning expensive gas and polluting the atmosphere.
That's why a familiar concept — the four-day work week — looks especially promising now.
To its credit, Hawai'i is taking a fresh look at ways to put a large group of people — state employees — on a four-day, 10-hour schedule, as part of a broader plan to reduce gas consumption and save on skyrocketing energy costs.
If the state could put a significant number of its employees on a four-day schedule, it could noticeably reduce the number of cars on the road for one additional day a week.
It could reduce energy use in state buildings. And it could even be a recruiting tool for those who'd prefer to work a 10-hour day in exchange for a three-day weekend.
The possibilities are tempting enough for another state to take the plunge.
Beginning in August, Utah will put about 17,000 state employees on a Monday-Thursday schedule. Courts, public universities and schools would not be affected.
Nonetheless, the change is expected to cut energy use in public buildings by 20 percent, saving about $3 million. Savings on gas for official vehicles and commuters was not calculated, but it is hoped it will be substantial.
Many state offices will be closed on Fridays, but open longer on the other days: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Using the Internet for routine services would be encouraged.
Could this work in Hawai'i? It would take careful planning, not to mention unprecedented cooperation among the Lingle administration, public worker unions and the public.
The state has about 25,000 employees who don't work in education. For a four-day work week to make a real difference, most of those workers would have to be included.
Other initiatives, such as telecommuting and flex-time, should be part of the solution as well.
With energy costs bleeding our economy, it's past time to put promising solutions to the test. Let's test this one.
