Published: July 16, 2008 08:30 pm            

4-day work week worth eyeing

The University of Central Oklahoma is becoming well-known for its new program in leadership, but actual leadership skills are what will pave the way for future successes at the Edmond campus. Fortunately, UCO has an abundance of great leadership.

That leadership most recently has been exemplified by the university moving its faculty to a four-day work week this summer to help save on expenses campuswide.

A four-day work week is now being eyed by state government with a proposal by the Oklahoma Public Employees Association and Rep. Mike Shelton to move all state employees to that style of scheduling.

Shelton has cited high gas prices, inflation, stagnant pay and the need to cut costs as reasons for making the move. Other states and cities already are testing out this type of program, including Utah, Washington, Ohio and Alabama.

While we believe this is an innovative, cost-savings measure, there are some details yet to be worked out for Oklahoma to pursue this idea. A concern is keeping government accessible to citizens. And the policy only works if the state can shut down an entire building for a third day each week, therefore realizing cost savings by using less energy and other resources to operate the building.

One way to make this work on a large scale would be to leave informational offices open to the public five days a week or potentially having smaller service centers open to the public where several agencies could share space and resources to keep government business moving.

Overall, the idea definitely has enough merit to continue exploring how Oklahoma can make it work here. Keeping employees happy and motivated is always a key to success for any business or agency.

Ultimately the state needs to find innovative ways of increasing employee productivity, reducing costs and still maintaining excellent service. It’s not often that an idea comes along that potentially could address all three of those wishes. This just might be Oklahoma’s ticket to improving its government.

        

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