Carpooling, Four Day Work Weeks Proposed For State Workers

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Posted: 12:24 PM Jul 15, 2008
Last Updated: 9:07 PM Jul 15, 2008

32 comments

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In response to high gas prices, Governor Steve Beshear has announced some new initiatives aimed at helping state workers save money.

The state has set up a new Web site that will be used to allow state workers to hook up with people who live nearby so more people can carpool.

The Governor also addressed the issue of four day work weeks. He says allowing them to work four longer days rather than five eight hour days should reduce their commuting costs by 20 percent.

In recent weeks, Kentucky's Secretary of State's office has implemented a four-day work week.

Beshear said nothing at Tuesday's press conference about mandating four day work weeks, so it will be up to individual agencies to make that decision.

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Posted by: state Location: worker on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:11 PM
You people quit workin an quit cryin an set home draw you a check I really dont care what you think we work harder then coal minners do we work harder then anybody

Posted by: An Honest Bread Winner Location: KY on Jul 18, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Well Lee, do you think he shouldn't try to cut back cost. Maybe he should just raise state taxes so everyone that has less money can make up the difference that the state pays out for the extra day of work & gas expenses (many employees are reimbursed for mileage). Or, do you even pay taxes to care? Maybe you're just worried that you can't get to the welfare office on the day you want to go. Try just being happy for those it will help. In case you didn't know--this isn't a perfect world.

Posted by: lee Location: annville on Jul 18, 2008 at 03:57 PM
You know it's funny how the Governer will help out all the state workers with car pooling and 4 days a week. How (GREAT), but what about the people with less money and have to buy their gas working five days a week and traveling 40 - 60 miles aday? Where's our help? Oh I forgot, we need to work more and pay for more gas for the state. HOW SWEET: I suppose there won't be another election after this one.

Posted by: State Worker Location: Kentucky on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Best Benefits? Maybe 10 years ago! What are the benefits? Earning 1 day of sick and 1 day of vacation a month? State holidays off? That's about it for the perks other than our insurance which for a family is well over 400.00 a month. I don't understand? We have to purchase our own long term, short term disability insurance, dental and vision - and we have to find the carriers for those services on our own. Best Benefits? You can find a job that includes the benefits we get really anywhere. I love my job and the services that I provide but it's people like you that don't or won't understand that.

Posted by: check Location: drawer on Jul 18, 2008 at 09:25 AM
you state workers got it so ruff I sure dont think I can even stan out in the sun an watch one man work so hard lol this is funny by the way how many bosses they have on the road crew to many cheifs an no indians

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Jul 18, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Posted by: State Worker Location: Kentucky on Jul 15, 2008 at 07:51 PM - you may be the lowest paid, but you got the best benefits... :)

Posted by: state worker Location: ea ky on Jul 18, 2008 at 12:03 AM
State workers get paid semimonthly - not biweekly. Our 1% raise plus much more goes to pay for things like health insurance - some workers have had to go outside the state and purchase private health insurance because the state charges so much. We are also subject to the same rising expenses resulting from the exploding energy costs. Many, many state workers are working to help people and our caseloads increase as the economy worsens. You know, EVERY state worker is see through the same "shovel leaner" mentality by people who show their ignorance by their attitude.

Posted by: tanya Location: frankfort on Jul 17, 2008 at 10:21 AM
CHECK: most of us have worked those sort of jobs. It comes to my attention that people that complain about state workers are the ones that are not able to get those jobs. PLUS, we don't get raises anymore, we get 1%, that is about $5 a week. I work TWO Jobs and going to school for my graduate degree. Don't tell me about hard work buddy.

Posted by: check Location: drawer on Jul 17, 2008 at 09:26 AM
the only thing diffrent between me an a state worker is i draw my check once a month an they draws thiers ever two week

Posted by: Family Support Worker Location: Kentucky on Jul 17, 2008 at 07:22 AM
This will actually help 1 out of 10 that you see? I am a state worker and deal work in the food stamp/medicaid and welfare office. I earn my small salary of 24k a year after 4 years on the job! As the economy slumps my job and casework increases each and everyday. You try looking into the eyes of a single parent working a full time job, getting no child support and doesn't know where there next meal is and tell them sorry you aren't eligible because you make 10.00 above the food stamp income cut-off.....Don you are an idiot

Posted by: DON Location: KNOX on Jul 16, 2008 at 04:58 PM
THAT WILL HELP THE ONE OUT OF TEN U SEE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT ACTUALLY DOES THE WORK

Posted by: Rusty Location: Nail on Jul 16, 2008 at 04:25 PM
How about we try expanding public transportation systems? Commuter rail and interurban bus routes would go a long way right now...

Posted by: Dora Location: Jessamine on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Our health department went too this. The nurses and office staff split the week. Two work on Mon, Tues, Wed, and Thursday and off Friday while the other two are off on Mon and work Tue, Wed, Thursday and Friday. They extended the hours each day so really, the longer hours each day benefit the client and we get a day off during the week. Is working out wonderful.!!!! And we are still open five days a week.

Posted by: Chris Location: Lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I don't think anyone is saying that offices would only be open Monday-Thursday. To make it work, you stagger staff work weeks so that some work M-Th, some work T-F, and maybe some staff would even want to work M&T/take W off/work Th&F (think not working more than 2 days before getting a break!). The result might be fewer staff during any given time, but longer hours that an office is actually open. I wish my employer would allow telecommuting. I work in IT, and probably 3/5 of my job can be done remotely; yet I am required to physically be here because the higher-ups don't understand that I can do the same job from a different location.

Posted by: stateworker on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:41 AM
I am a stateworker and we have just implemented the 4 day schedule. We have 3 workers in our office, and continue to keep it staffed 5 days per week. Hopefully it works out well for everyone and cuts down on gas costs!

Posted by: Tammy Location: Frankfort on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:29 AM
all you nun state workers cry me a river it is not our fault that you don't work for the state and the state does not have control over these private owned business PS we state workers work hard and do a great job

Posted by: 24/7 Location: Lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:08 AM
It is a 24/7 world.The company I work for is on a 4 day work week with Fri,Sat, and Sun off. Some depts. work Mon thru Thurs. Some work Tues - Fri.This helps us to maintian coverage for our customers while helping the employees during the current crisis.We do this mostly during the summer months when the weather is so hot.We work early to avoid the heat of the day.Everyone seems to like it this way.

Posted by: cinderella Location: kentucky on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:13 AM
its funny how some state offices can flex their hours to do the 4 day work week and other cannot even when they are within the same cabinet. as always frankfort does as it pleases. the general public is so ignorant about state workers it amazes me. did you know if i had to cover my family with a family insurance plan it would cost me 452.00 monthly out of my paycheck? do you know we are the lowest paid workers for our field in all of the states? people just dont understand and dont know the facts. i wish you did.

Posted by: Josh Location: Richmond on Jul 16, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Also, for the person referring to the state cars being used after 5 pm and on weekends, you may want to check your facts a little better. Social Workers who are very unpaid have to be oncall on weekends and state cars are required for use. They may have to stop and purchase clothing, meals, etc. for state custody children.

Posted by: Andy Location: Pikeville on Jul 16, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Fire half of them,you know the half hanging on shovel handles all over the state.Why are we paying 6 man crews when theres never over 2 of them working.Look out your window 1/3 of the traffic on our rds are state vec's.They hidden in hollows behind buildings hanging out at eaterys,doing nothing.

Posted by: check Location: drawer on Jul 15, 2008 at 10:21 PM
well i tell you what a state worker is just like a check drawer but the only difference is I get my check once a month an they get thiers ever two weeks an when they work usually one is workin an ten watchin or three sittin in the pace truck on hot day with the AC on they need to be paid to sit home like me instead in the way

Posted by: CLS Location: PIKE COUNTY on Jul 15, 2008 at 09:36 PM
First of all..a 4-day week does not constitute closing an office..DUH!!!!!!!!!!!did anyone ever stop to think that employees would ROTATE their "off" day??? all offices will remain open 5 days..Toe/Jam..think about what your writing before you proceed sounding like a moron..

Posted by: Dean Location: Floyd Conunty on Jul 15, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Four day work weeks are terrific for a number of reasons which I will not elaborate. My complaint is that I have been called for jury duty. While I do not mind to serve in this capacity my complaint is the lousy $12.50 per day will not even buy my gas and a Happy-Meal at that famous restaurant. When can the good people you call to serve have a large enough pay increase so that it will actually meet their expenses? I'm sure that my legislators get way more than $12.50 per day to serve.

Posted by: State Worker Location: Kentucky on Jul 15, 2008 at 07:51 PM
No state offices will close one day a week. The services will be the same as now only employees will rotate their hours which will keep state offices open longer hours five days a week. The state will actually be giving the public better service for longer hours a day. Also remember that the average state employee is the lowest paid people in their field of work.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Kentucky on Jul 15, 2008 at 05:46 PM
The first concern would be to elimate the driving of State vehicles home. Has anyone ever noticed how many State vehicles are at resturant/shopping centers/ grocery stores on the weekend and after 5:00 PM. This would elimate alot of taxpayers money....I would also look at the work force. Ever notice on a State job it takes 8 or 10 workers to do a 4 man job....The Governor should mandate this to the State of Ky.........

Posted by: Anonimous Location: Kentucky on Jul 15, 2008 at 04:49 PM
There again not everyone works for the State so what are they going to do to help everyone else? Everything is geared for people working for the State well that is nice but they make a heck of a lot more money then I do I bet and I don't see anywhere that they are going to help the other "Working Class" citizens with ANYTHING???!!!! Let's spread out here and help EVERYONE and make ALL Business that can do it go to 4 day work weeks....

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 at 04:14 PM
4 day weeks are a killer for people who have children in daycare. I couldn't imagine rushing across town during peak traffic to daycare every single day when it closes at 6:00 and I don't even get off until 5:30. And Josh from Richmond, how does it benefit clients when your not even available on Friday? That means more people will schedule M-F creating a more problematice scenario!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: FRANKFORT on Jul 15, 2008 at 04:03 PM
So people who don't work at the state are just out of luck....

Posted by: me me Location: warbranch on Jul 15, 2008 at 03:35 PM
hey? does this mean the schools two?if so what about nursing homes,hosptials but know one works around here on the same shifts.eveybody has a differnt shift.what is people suppost to do about that?

Posted by: Halyn Location: Roth on Jul 15, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Pulaski County School System has talked about a 4 day school week. We are a very large county in land area, and would save us a bundle of money. Our entire fleet of buses drive over 1,000 miles per day.

Posted by: Toe/Jam Location: Ratcheer on Jul 15, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Forget it. Never going to happen because this country is now operating on the 24/7 principle. If we allow our Government offices (which are funded by taxpayer money) to close then we should mandate that all businesses go to a 4 day week. Let's see, everyone works Monday thru Thursday and then ALL places of employment should be closed Fri/Sat/Sun. Seems to be the only "fair" way to do it.

Posted by: Kristy on Jul 15, 2008 at 02:05 PM
This would be a good idea for the work places everywhere & schools. Yes some parents might have to find a babysitter for that 5th day but think of the money that would be saved by not running the buses, electicity at the schools, and the people off the road. I agree though if the government doesn't say so then it won't happen every where. Plus working 4 days with 3 days off, we all might chill out. There would be long hours but it would be well worth have a 3 day weekend!

Posted by: Cathi Location: State employee on Jul 15, 2008 at 01:36 PM
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: Please help us all during this gas crisis. A mandated 4-day work week & school week would save everyone a lot of money. My sons family, my parents who only draw social security, my aged aunt and my household are all suffering greatly from these skyrocketing prices. We are not able to buy sufficient supplies of grocerys, because of all these price increases and there's no increase in benefits for the elderly and no increase in saleries. OFFICIALS: PLEASE meet together and help everyone by implementing a MANDATED 4-day work week and school week. This is a great idea to help us all save money. Some state workers travel 40-50 miles round trip a day to work, as I do, and some may even travel further. This would save us 4 trips a month. That's money I could use to help my family members with groceries and necessities. Let's come together Kentuckians and try to survive this crisis.

Posted by: Josh Location: Richmond on Jul 15, 2008 at 01:12 PM
As a state worker I doubt the cabinet I currently work in will allow this. The Gov. needs to step up and make this mandated instead of letting agencies decide. It's not fair that some of the agencies are allowed and some are not. I do public service but allowing me to work a 7-5:30 shift 4 days a week would benefit my clients greatly. I would be able to schedule appointments for people before and after the typical work hours, thus not making them take an entire morning or afternoon off typically without pay to come into my office. I fear that if I take this up with my individual agency than upper mgmt will make my evaluation look bad. I fear teh reprucussions of my actions if I voice my concearns.

Posted by: diane Location: a state office on Jul 15, 2008 at 12:41 PM
A four-day work week would really help state workers, but if the governor does not make it mandate, most offices with elected officials will not do it. They think it costs them votes. Most elected officials care very little about the state employees in their office. If the governor really cares about all state employees, he will mandate the four-day work week, if not, it will not happen in very many offices and as usual, the people who make the least will suffer the most.

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