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It's Official: The 4-Day Week Works
Utah shows economic, environmental, and health benefits from new scheme
By Matt Cantor
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Posted Aug 25, 09 1:32 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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A year ago, Utah’s governor instituted a 4-day, 10-hour-a-day workweek for some 17,000 state employees—and the results so far show big benefits, GOOD reports:
- Closed offices on Fridays have cut energy use by 13% and reduced the state’s carbon footprint by some 6,000 metric tons—and that doesn’t even count the gas saved through fewer commutes.
- There’s less traffic with people commuting at different times, or, on Fridays, not at all. That means less air pollution for drivers.
- After 9 months of the program, the state had saved $1.8 million in operational costs.
- A survey showed that 82% of workers like the new schedule more than the five-day scheme and “show decreased health complaints, less stress, and fewer sick days.” Meanwhile, “productivity and quality of service” are up, writes Ben Jervey.
For the full list of benefits of a three-day weekend, click the link below.