Corrections officers at the York County Prison have long looked at the possibility in order to get more days off and consolidate their time at the prison.
By CARL LINDQUIST
The York Dispatch
YORK COUNTY, Pa. — York is mulling the idea of a four-day workweek for employees.
The idea is still in its infancy. Administrator Chuck Noll said he’s asked top management to consider the concept in preparation for an upcoming meeting.
“It’s a request we had gotten from a number of employees who would like to reduce their commuting costs,” said Noll, who also serves as chief clerk.
“Obviously if it has traction we will try to look at it in a much broader sense and get input from all the department heads and elected leaders.”
Centre and Berks counties are also thinking about going to a four-day workweek for at least some employees, allowing them to work four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days. Organizations that go to four-day workweeks typically stagger their employees’ shifts to remain open Monday through Friday.
Hurdles: The idea poses a variety of challenges for York County government.
First, there’s the question of how to provide adequate public service and ensure proper functioning within the county’s agencies, Noll said.
Plus, many of the county’s unionized employees are working under labor contracts that call for them to be paid overtime after working eight hours in a day, Noll said. The county would have to work out a solution with the unions to address that to keep down the county’s costs.
Some union employees like the idea, said Mark Andreozzi, business agent for Teamsters 776. The union represents many county employees.
Corrections officers at the York County Prison have long looked at the possibility, he said. Their focus has not been on reducing gas costs but to get more days off and consolidate their time at the prison.
The different union units within the county would each make their own decision on the
idea by a membership vote, Andreozzi said. He’s not been told of any strong push by employees to switch workweeks.
Parents: York County Treasurer Barb Bair said single parents might not like the idea. It wouldn’t work well for those who have to pick up their children from day care at pre-set times, she said. Others with somewhat older children may not like the concept because it will leave their children home alone for longer periods.
“I think it’s very good we are opening conversation to do things to be more creative,” she said.
Although there are hurdles, Noll said he doesn’t think the concept is outside the realm of possibility. It’s just one idea on the table and is part of a discussion among leadership to reduce costs across the board.
“If it’s something the employees want to do, and we can accommodate that and also ensure we provide quality service to our clients and the general public, why not?” he asked. “I have no preconceived objection.”
President Commissioner Steve Chronister said he feels the same way.
Copyright 2008 York Newspapers, Inc.