Working a Four Day Week to Reduce Gas Use

Reacting to the ridiculously high fuel prices, Legislator Wayne Horsley from Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, has proposed a plan to help county employees decrease gasoline use and thereby save money. He wants non-union county workers (those in management positions) to work only four days a week. He hopes to expand the plan to all county employees. There's a little catch though — these employees would have to work ten hour days to make up for the lost time.

Flextime, as this type of scheduling is called, is a well-known alternative work option that has been around for many years. It has been utilized by those, not necessarily in Suffolk County, who can't, because of other obligations, work a traditional Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. In addition to saving money on gas, flextime schedules that allow people to work four ten-hour days help the environment by taking cars of the road. Telecommuting, another alternative work option, can also reduce gasoline use by allowing employees to work from home one or more days a week, perhaps even everyday. Those who telecommute must be extremely well-focused and self-directed. Would you be willing to either telecommute or work a flextime schedule? Take my polls.

Poll #1: Would you be willing to work a 10 hour day if you only had to work four days a week?

• Yes
• No
• View Results

Poll #2: Would you telecommute regularly, i.e., every week?

• Yes, I would work from home everyday.
• No, I wouldn't work from home at all.
• Yes, I would work from home, but not everyday.
• View Results