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 |

Shelton Schedules Hearing On 4-Day Week

State agencies and their employees will have a chance to discuss the possibility of moving to a four-day workweek at a public hearing at the State Capitol Wednesday, July 9th. The meeting will be held in room 432A from 10 a.m. until noon, Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, announced today.

Shelton and officials of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA) have been at the forefront of a national push to allow government employees to work condensed schedules that, they said, could save money for employees and agencies, as well as taxpayers.

A survey on the OPEA website shows most state employees favor the idea.

Share |