Yes!!! GOD Yes!!! Who started them anyway, & why were we dumb enough to continue them? Friday IS a part of the weekend, nes pas? And God designed us to enjoy Paradise, not to work ourselves to death. WE designed that. We & our children are stressed & unhealthy due to lack of rest, & poor eating habits. Jesus got the rest & sustenance He needed, & so should we!!! Ms. Spiva, you should contact the agency that provides her daycare license anonymously. Pray for her, & God will deal with her, or bless you with better. Thanks, Mr. Howard! TRULY appreciate all your help.

Although it works great for me, I can see where it might not work for all employees depending on family demands.

God designed people to work 6 days a week and rest 1 day. This makes for the best use of our facilities and with just working (actually designing not working) for 40 hours a week means that you can have more time with family and doing other things during the rest of day.

My company has been doing the 4DWW for several years - it has been wonderful for me. I have over an hour drive each way, so this saves me time and money. The company staggers the day off - everyone is not off on the same day. A certain percentage are off each day - this makes sure there is still adequate staff in the office each day. Plus, by working the extended hours (6am - 4:30pm), I miss most of the traffic. Previously, I was working 8:30am - 5:00pm - HORRENDOUS traffic coming and going. Also, the area I am in is very flexible about switching days off - if I need to be off on a day other than my normal 'flex' day, I can switch out with someone. Also, there is another option available that a lot of people take advantage of - 4 1/2 day work week - work 4 9-hour days and 1 4-hour day. This didn't work out for me because of the long commute. But others who live closer love the option. The bottom line is - the employer has to make sure there is enough coverage there to take care of the customers. For my company, this has worked out well - it probably would not work at all for others - it all depends on what type of work you do and who your customers are.

When will the FEDERAL GOVERNTMENT follow suit???

I personally would NOT enjoy 10-hour days, that would be way too exhausting. Wake up, go to work, come home, go to sleep? Even with the extra day off, it would be awful.

I think it should be a choice, not a mandate. It's difficult to do if you have children in school.

BRAVO BRAVO...excellent idea
I need not say why

The Medical & Mental Health departments of the Florida Department of Corrections is on a 10 hour work week. I am in Mental health at Lake Correctional Mental Health Unit (MHU) 5 miles north of Clermont.

Clark, my dept at the Baldwin County Commission is now on a 4 day work week.
The ladies love it.

WOW. THAT IS AWESOME, I NEED TO MOVE TO UTAH. I HAVE BEEN A LONGTIME ADVOCATE OF 4 DAY WORK WEEKS. WHEN ONE HAS ONLY 2 DAYS OFF EVERYTHING IS RUSHED AND BY MONDAY THE EMPLOYEE GETS TO WORK AND HAS A HANGOVER. MOST PEOPLE HAVE HEART ATTACKS ON MONDAY AND CALL OUT! IRONIC OR OVER WORKED. IT TAKES THE AVG ATLANTAN AN HR TO GET TO WORK ANYWAY. WITH A 4 DAY WORK WEEK: DAY OFF ONE PERSONAL TIME FOR THE EMPLOYEE, DAY TWO CHORES, CHILDREN TIME IE SPORTS EVENTS AND DAY 3 A TRUE DAY OF REST FOR THE WORK WEEK. I THINK IT WILL INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. HATSS OFF UTAH!

This is a great idea, but, of course, each company and individual will need to decide if it will work for them. I think this schedule has the potential to put an end to some employers taking advantage of their employees. Many employees regularly put in 10 hour days 5 days a week, while only being paid for 40 hours. This becomes an expectation, rather than a rarity. For many of us, this is burning us out and we will seek other employment if it doesn't change. The cost of turnover is not always considered, but it should be. Employers who make this an option will most certainly increase employee retention and loyalty. They may be able to reduce sick time or vacation time by a day or two to compensate, if that is a concern. Employees will gain better quality of life and you can't put a price on that.

Ten hours per day ends up as a very long work day for a typical office worker. When you factor in commute time you don't have much time left for much else but eating and sleeping. The three day week-ends are great, but 10 hours in front of a keyboard can wear you out physically and mentally during the week. My company is doing a voluntary 9/80 bi-weekly schedule during the summer - you work Mon-Thur 9 hours per day, 8 hours on one Friday and off every other Friday. That works really well for me. BTW - when I was in the Army a "half-day schedule" was a 12 hour shift - beware of what sounds good...

Unfortunately the Governor of Ohio just instituted a new policy extending our work day. We now have to work until 5:00 p.m. (we previously worked until 4:45 p.m. with a 45 min. lunch)It has resulted in the use of much more gas as we are now sitting in traffic, moving only enough that we must keep our cars running. We have tried to convince him to change to a 4 day work week, but so far no luck. Just glad to see that I am not the only person who feels it is a good idea. Thanks!

If the point is to save on gas and reduce pollution, how many people really will be staying home that extra day? If the Gov. really wants to reduce gas use bring back the blue laws! Keep people home one Sundays. No malls no open stores. 4 day work week is another day to drive around and run arends

Several years ago the school system administraive offices I was employed with had a 4 day work week in the summer and it was wonderful!

How about a 4 day, 32 hour week, plus 10% pay cut? Save in utiities. Cut payroll costs. Sign me up!

We are trying out this new work schedule. Its tough to get used to...I miss the extra time in the morning, but when I have a longer weekend its well worth it. Even better, every other week I have a four-day weekend.

I have experienced that the age of the head of the business determines "change". Many of the older conservative business leaders are not for "change" even when the employees offer to do a "trial period".
There's always pros and cons with any change and giving it a try is "positive thinking".
A group of us are still hoping and waiting while other agencies within NC took it on the first day it was offered by our Governor. The governors need to push this harder in all agencies across the US.
Thank you for this opportunity to sound off!

A 4-day work week would also work for education. With the elimination of Friday or Monday lunch periods, homeroom periods, time spent changing classes, and other times not lost from instruction on the deleted 5th day , the time added to each of the 4 other school days would be less than the referenced 2 hours. The time added to each school day would then be divided between each of the regularly scheduled classes and would be real instructional time. Most teachers would appreciate the added time to be able to be sure students understand the day's lessons. One school in the county could be "open" on a paid basis with transportation provided by the parents for additional offerings such as tutoring, music lessons, crafts, and other classes that students would enjoy or need to be more successful in school. These classes could provide opportunities that the students would not otherwise have. Teachers who want to work the additional day would receive additional compensation equal to their current pay scale. The 4-day school week would also reduce student and employee absences by providing more flexibility for outside appointments, travel, etc. True, there is no arrangement that would meet everyone's needs, but it would work....and students and educators would love it. Implementation would have to be announced in time for parents to make arrangements for their students, but if there is a need, there would be enterprising individuals who would devise 5th day programs outside of the school system to meet parents' needs, which would also benefit the economy! I wish my county would consider a 4-day work week, but our board of education doesn't like to consider anything that might inconvenience parents.....
Unfortunate, isn't it???

I think is the best idea ever but not only for the usa but for the whole world to adop this idea it will do wonders for the planet earth and every one wins. For sure all government around the world should consider this great idea.

the problem my company is to greedy they would work friday unless the rock quarry closed. That wont happen the y greedy to from raleigh nc love your show

I am sorry to read what Diane is saying about teachers. I have been a teacher for 33 years and have NEVER worked only until 3 or 4 and I do not know of any other teacher who does. My work week is usually 50 hours and sometimes more. I sign a contract for 185 days, with no paid holidays as other government workers have. If I want to move to another town or state, I have to take a cut in pay. I only get to take 5 years of experience to count on the pay scale. No other profession that I know of has this restriction. As far as having summers off . . . most teachers are busy working to make ends meet or taking classes to meet state requirements of continuing education and are paying for the requirement out of their own pocket. At the cost of nearly $1000 (in my state) for one class teachers can spend up to $4000 in one summer for the privilege of teaching students at an average salary of $25000 to $35000 depending on the state. I know teachers who cannot even afford health insurance for their children and must rely on state subsidized health insurance, the same that the homeless have access to. Studies have been done on the various professions and the number of decisions made each hour of their work day. On average teachers make between 200 and 300 decisions each hour while physicians come in well below 100. I have worked retail and at the end of the day, I could go home and still be mentally alert and ready to go again even if my feet hurt. When I come home from teaching the 25 or 30 children that parents can't wait to send off to school each day because they cannot handle even the one or two they have, I come home fix supper, do laundry, spend time with my own children and supervise their homework time, then, after they are off to quiet time and bed, I am still up preparing lessons for the next day and up until midnight or later grading papers. I get up at 6 am to start it all over again. So a 4 day week for teachers would go miles to helping them stay refreshed and lower the burn out rate and help lower the number of teachers who leave the profession at the expense of our children.

Why are teachers worried? They work till 3 or 4 everyday and have the summers and all holidays off as well as all goverment jobs. Public service jobs should be available every day of the week. On the other hand all of us that work in retail, entertainment or food service no there is no way this would do. The public is so used to a 24 hour day. I can remember when you scheduled your time according to when business's were open, not when you wanted to go. We are too fast paced in our country. Maybe the europeans have always done it right.

great idea, however we have found that our union and many US GOV rules say we must pay time & 1/2 for the 9th and 10th hours of work any one day...stupid but that is the D O D rules.

I have worked for the State government in Texas for the past 15 years. Most State offices for the most part have employed the 4-day work week or "compressed work week," as well as flex-time. I have, on many occasions, worked the compressed work week and really enjoyed the benefits it provided. Currently, I work 4 days in the office and 1 day at home which is a great savings on gas consumption.

I believe this is an outstanding idea. Why hasn't someone thought of this before is hard to believe. It would save the average consumer alot of money, not to mention the cost in fuel savings alot.

No way, but then I work from home in the evenings. We're always being bribed to work longer hours daily as it is (medical transcription). Not me. My game plan is to live as below my means as I can stand, pay off the mortgage and take on no more debt. I don't even have a car anymore and have no plans to buy another. My company can have me for 40 hours per week and no more, sorry.

Some European nations have been doing this successfully for years! They have 36 hour work weeks, four (4) nine (9) hour work days as an example in The Netherlands. To top it off, they practice telecommuting and ride bikes. Granted, our infrastructure does not support bike riding, as well as the climate makes that out of the question in many areas, but there are ways to save fuel, increase moral, and strive for greater employee loyalty. Perhaps we all need people to open our minds and explore how other countries do this without such waste or as one write indicated, lost productivity. I'm sure there are ways, it's about me compromise vs. the "can't do it attitude!" We can!

Personally I would have a hard time w/a 10 hour day. Besides work, I take classes 2 nights a week, try to get to the gym, and volunteer at the library & my church. Along w/the 45 minute, one-way commute I'd have to give up a lot of my extra activities because I'd be at work until 7 or 8p most nights.
I would like to see more telecommuting options.

I think this idea can be adjusted for most. Larger corporations do not need to have everyone off on Monday or Friday. It can work out for internal departments to stagger the 4 10's to still meet business needs. Maybe 30% off Mon/Fri and 40% off different days during the week. I may add, with traffic/construction- they should be working hours that do not interfere with commutes so as not to cause additional idle time sitting in traffic and wasting gas also! :)

We want to do that here in Oregon! I think it is a grand idea!

We've experimented with the idea and would love to realize the benefits. Unfortunately, we cannot get the staff to maintain productivity levels past their "normal" quiting time. Next to nothing gets done during the added two hours to the point that you end up working on the fifth day just to keep up and paying overtime to do it.

I'm retired; but still in favor of the 4-day work week. It is a moral booster. It will stimulate the economy; because people are more likely to have an extra day to do things they like doing. It won't necessarily save gas if they go shopping and other ancillary things.

I'm retired so not personally affected but I say hooray(!!!!) for the idea. I always wanted to work 4-10's and clearly the time has come!

We implemented this schedule a year ago and it has been the best thing we could have done to save in fuel, work efficiency and employee morale. Some of us have Mondays off, some Fridays. We absolutely can't even think about going back to 5 days.
We are an electrical subcontracting company.

I think it is smart for businesses to use a 4 day work week. I know of several friends who work from home and save lots of money on gas/clothing expenses. As an educator, I don't know if students would benefit using a 4 day school week. Students can only pay attention for so long. How would that affect the testing schedule? If the state of Utah has the public school systems on a 4 day work week, it would be interesting to see how the students do academically in the classroom.

Think of the money school districts will save. Reduction of tranprotation cost by 20% is just a start. We already provide a breakfast and lunch program which will be reduced by 20%. AMAZING!!!!!!!!

What about the travel that the person will do on their day off ? Is it really expected that they will stay at home ? Then what about the cost of cooling/heating all the houses, the house temperature would have been set for the person to be away. So is the cost of heating/cooling all the extra square footage of homes vs less sqft of a building when you look at it on a per capita basis, less ?
I would think you'd find the cost are much higher and the fuel consumption is more.

Several years ago the city of Douglasville went to a four day work week partially so workers would use less gas driving to and from work but it was discovered that the workers used much more fuel before as they drove to shopping malls , to visit friends and relatives and going out to lunch. Another good idea that didn't work !

Everyone is assuming that businesses have to be on a 4 day work week and the customer service level with be gone. The alternating of employees or spread out to some employees working 4 10 hr days vary - some do Mon - Thur and some do Tue - Friday. Businesses do not save much in overall cost on electricity, heat, water etc. But moral, gas and pollution are greatly reduced.
Teleworking is also a great way of life as it reduces or retains the same features.

4 day is an improvement and we humans seem to make changes very very slowly. Where is it written we must work 40 hours a week!? I say lets drop to 32 hour work weeks while retaining a 40 hour paycheck. Most of us haven't had real raises that actually keep pace with inflation and dollar devaluation.

Wake up American, think outside the box.

this is only good if the 4 days are Mon-Thursday,if its a rotating 4on 4 off
then your would never work the same days every week ,of have the same days off again , you wold have a hard time seeing your family ,friends ,daycare is harder. the gas saving part isn't worth it, if your personal life is that difficult.Its sounds great but it comes at a price

Whether an employer is on a 5-day, 4-day, 2-day, or 10-day work cycle is a choice that, in our still mostly free society, should be left to the employer. As for government employees, if the job isn't related to police, military, or judicial work, it probably should be moved to the private sector, anyway -- the profit motive is the best efficiency booster there is.

I've been working in corporate America for many year in various leadership positions. In addition to the 4-day workweek, a virtual workplace is also a winner in terms of morale and productivity. However, the square-peg, square-hole theory prevails in corporate America still.

Clark, how about productivity? have any studies been done to determine if employees are efficient those hours after already working the eight.

Thinking how the human body works and considering brain fatigue. Is that extra two hours really productive?

Being a small business employer, I don't want to pay for two hours to save in one place and suffer in the other. Doesn't accomplish anything, in fact may cost more in the long run.

Am being the devil's advocate here. But I think the issue is a legitimate one. Thanks.

I read a newspaper article about a single parent with children (one with a disability) and how this negatively impacts her -- getting day care for extended hours without paying premium prices for the additional hours; hiring help to get her disabled child ready in the morning, etc. -- all things I didn't realize until reading her comments. According to her, this change will cause her to overspend her sick and personal time and will not be a benefit to her.

Incredibly smart... I have been trying to get my federal agency to adopt more 10-hour days.

We really need to push more commuter alternatives. We don't have time to wait another 5-10 years! In Washington D.C. they have a HOV lane that runs into the city in the mornings, but changes the opposite way in the evenings. Why can't we do something like this? We also need to hurry and expand the HOV lanes further out into the Metropolitan areas. I live in Henry County and we only have 3 lanes for traffic which is not enough. We have a tremendous amount of truckers that come through and it causing a horrible traffic jam.

Another option as maybe a transitional approach is what Lockheed Martin implemented a few years ago..a 9/80 work week... work 9 hours Monday - Thursday and one Friday work 8 hours and the next Friday is off....80 hours spread over 2 weeks....

I think Iowa should go on a 4 day week too. Hardly anyone lives up there either.

Good job Utah.Most of the Ga. Defense department has been on a 4 day week for years. It saves alot. Thanks for all you do Capt Clark.

Except is this going to incraese the already extremely long lines at govt. offices, and what about the people who have friday's off to do their govt. maintaince/requirement visits?