Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009 - (Page 19)

the green Is It Coming to Your Building? Are You Ready if it Does? It has been a little more than a year since a handful of government offices, small colleges, and businesses decided to implement a four-day workweek to minimize energy consumption and expenses. The idea is one that has gained quite a bit of popularity, and may be coming to your building soon. Last summer, Utah was the first state to impose a mandatory four-day workweek for its 17,000 employees (with exemptions for universities, courts, prisons, and other “critical” offices). Since then, many county and city governments have followed, and cite overwhelming positive feedback from their employees. While the workday is extended two hours, the benefits for the workforce, and the environment, are plenty. While the measure has been debated within environmental publications, as well as the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, one is hard-pressed to find many disadvantages aside from the tired legs after a ten-hour work day. Utah originally decided to implement the measure at the time The Four-Day Workweek: OFF scene OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF i by Stephen Ashkin “I’m serious when I do my work. I’m not serious when I’m home with my kids.” - Bill Gates gas prices were soaring and institutions across the nation were searching for ways to cut spending. Also, Utah reports the measure would also help them tremendously in their effort toward reaching their goal of a 20 percent reduction in energy consumption by the year 2015. How does a four-day workweek make an immediate impact on the environment? To list a few; we would enjoy drastic reductions in: crude oil imports, greenhouse gas emissions, employee exposure to pollutants, traffic congestion, auto accidents, labor costs, operational expenses, childcare costs, and employee absenteeism. Also, the programs promise to increase: worker productivity, quality family time, employee job satisfaction, and money in the employee’s pocket at the end of the week. Those college students entering the workforce are also enthusiastic about the possibilities. Stereotypically, college students avoid Friday classes at almost any cost. Those enrolled at Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Florida, are enjoying their second full year of a four-day workweek and class schedule. The benefits exceeded all expectations. By closing the buildings on Friday and turning down air conditioning and heating systems, the school saved $267,000 during the first year. This allowed the school to afford to hire additional fulltime faculty members. Brevard’s students talk of more time to study and work part-time jobs. Faculty and staff cite the savings in expenses of traveling back and forth to campus, and the extra time to handle family and household matters. Administrators marvel at the reduction in staff turnover, the increase in applications for employment, and an absenteeism rate that has dwindled to almost nothing. The benefits of the four-day workweek are easy to spout off, but the consistent reporting in the reduction of absenteeism should not be taken lightly. A shorter workweek is obviously less strenuous and perhaps less stressful than (continued on page 25) March 2009/Executive Housekeeping Today 9

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009

Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009 Contents Executive Corner Why Integrated Cleaning and Measurement is Good for the Cleaning Industry Hygienic Green Cleaning - The Next Wave Frugal Housekeeper Integrated Cleaning and Measurement: A New Approach to Housekeeping and Sanitation Feature Article What's in YOUR Janitor Closet? The Green Scene 2009 Convention Information Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009

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