Oklahoma state workers, officials debate 4-day workweek

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jul 10, 2008 by Janice Francis-Smith

Cherra Eastep is struggling with rising gas and food prices, the same as every other state worker who was denied a pay raise again this year. But she's not excited about a proposal to alter her work schedule, a plan proponents say would provide an economic boost to cash-strapped state workers. On Wednesday, one agency head cautioned that the plan could offset the some of the gains it creates by increasing state expenditures on utilities.

Members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association and state Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, held a meeting Wednesday at the state Capitol. The aim of the meeting was to spur discussion among state agency leaders and workers regarding what scheduling options might work for their purposes. For some state workers, altering their schedule to work four 10-hour days instead of five eight-hour days could significantly reduce workers' travel costs and provide other efficiencies.

For some employees, the allure of having every Friday off, or every other Friday off for employees who work nine-hour days, may help make up for the fact that state workers have received only three raises in the last decade.

OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley said turnover among state workers is 13.9 percent - much higher than the national average for the public sector, at 8 percent. At the state veterans center, turnover is as high as 96 percent, he said.

The steady loss of the state's more experienced workers tallies up to an $85 million loss in productivity each year, he said.

But while some employees appreciate the sentiment, the proposal to alter work schedules would not provide a benefit.

"I'm a single mother with a small child," Eastep told the group gathered at the state Capitol on Wednesday. "That's not an option for me. And as far as gas prices, that would not make a difference for some of us."

Eastep works for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. As part of their job duties, many of the 70 employees in the division travel throughout their countywide territory to check on the children enrolled in the Sooner Start program. Most are not afforded use of a state vehicle for this purpose, and the federal mileage rate doesn't begin to cover fuel costs at current prices, she said.

Department of Central Services Director John Richard said the proposal could inadvertently increase operating costs by as much as 20 percent. Already, OG&E has announced that rising fuel costs will make electricity more expensive in upcoming months, costing state agencies another $420,000 a year, said Richard.

Allowing workers to come in earlier and/or stay later will result in increased electricity usage. Agencies can compensate for using more electricity Monday through Thursday by closing their doors on Fridays, said Richard. But that plan would require the agency to make the alternative schedule mandatory for all workers.

Robert Doke of the fire marshall's office said the six people in that agency would save a collective $6,400 a year in fuel, child- care expenditures and the cost of eating out for lunch.

The Office of Juvenile Affairs has used flexible scheduling for years, offering employees 17 different options regarding the length, times and days of shifts available. To reduce confusion for supervisors trying to keep track of who works when, the department implemented a computerized time clock system.

Mike Patterson of the Department of Transportation said road crews naturally go to 10-hour days during the summer in order to make use of the added hours of daylight to work by. In the winter, they switch back to eight-hour days.

Neville Massey of the Department of Corrections cautioned it could be more difficult for corrections facilities, which require 24- hour-a-day staffing, to accommodate flexible scheduling, though the department was open to consider the proposal.

Secretary of State Susan Savage did not participate in Wednesday's meeting, but her office has enjoyed the benefits of flexible scheduling for the last few weeks. The office is trying alternative scheduling on a trial basis, to be re-evaluated in September. So far, the office has been able to maintain services to the public five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while allowing workers to voluntarily choose to work an alternating four-day week.

"I will continue to be in the office each day for a full day," said Savage. "I live close to the office, but am trying to minimize trips out of the office so I can ride my bicycle to work occasionally."