Working 4 Utah is working.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Working for the government hardly brings to mind a regular three-day weekend, but for Utah state employees that is the norm. Utah became the first state to go to a four-day work week for most state employees under a one-year pilot program that began in August 2008. Called Working 4 Utah, the goals of the project were to expand the hours government services would be available to citizens, while reducing energy use and costs. A final report on results of the program was issued in December 2009, and Working 4 Utah was deemed a success.

Most of the state's employees work four 10-hour days, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and take every Friday off. Schools, courts and correctional facilities aren't included, but almost all other departments--and more than 900 state buildings are closed on Fridays.

The savings have been significant. Energy use in state buildings is down by 10.5 percent, generating more than $500,000 in savings. Another $200,000 was saved on custodial costs, plus an additional $200,000 in operational expenses. The use of state cars also decreased, resulting in a savings of almost 524,000 gallons of gas. Greenhouse gas...