State Workers Eye Flex Schedules

From www.tulsaworld.com ~ The governor and agency directors were encouraged Wednesday to step up efforts to provide flexible work schedules to state workers that are already allowed by law.

The flexible schedules could allow four-day work weeks, at least in a few agencies, representatives of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association said.

State Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, said he was not calling for a change in the law to mandate something like a four-day work week. But he wants agency directors, who already have the authority, to provide more options.

Shelton organized the hearing at the state Capitol and asked agency representatives to say what they are already doing to help employees. Shelton said this is a means to reward workers who have had few pay raises in the last decade.

Some agencies are allowing employees to work nine-hour days, then take off every other Friday.

The Department of Transportation has about 28 percent of its workers on four-day weeks performing road maintenance during summer months. But during the rest of the year, they maintain regular five-day schedules.

Gov. Brad Henry said earlier this week that he does not want any of the services provided to citizens to diminish under any new work plan. He noted agencies already can allow flexible work schedules.

Share |