Clean Air Campaign offers incentives for shorter work weeks

By David Markiewicz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Employees have long favored the idea of a compressed work weekin which they might work four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days.

A four-day week cuts out 20 percent of their commute and gives them another day to run errands or make doctor's appointments.

Employers also have reasons to test the innovation, advocates say, but most haven't. Now, the Clean Air Campaign hopes to motivate businesses them by offering up to $2,000 to cover labor costs incurred in the planning, study, training, marketing and promotion of the program in the workplace. The nonprofit organization also will provide free professional consulting services

Up to 15 employers, from either the private or public sectors, will be selected for the Compressed Work Week Leadership Initiative. Applications are available at CleanAirCampaign.org; the deadline for applying is April 30.

The Clean Air Campaign officials said compressed work weeks can trim an employer's operating costs, improve employee productivity, reduce absenteeism and create talent recruitment advantages, in addition to cutting commuting costs.

"I think it's part of a trend toward exploring worklife flexibility," said Kevin Green, executive director. He said compressed work weeks are "not terrifically complicated to implement."

One company that put a compressed work week program in place without an incentive  is Lathem Time, an Atlanta manufacturer of time, labor and security products, which made the move in 2005 in response to soaring gas prices.

Now, 85 percent of the company's employees work a compressed week, with most taking Friday off. Executives cite reduced absenteeism and stress, greater employee retention and utility cost savings in addition to environmental benefits from lower emissions.

"It's worth the effort," said Grace Perry, director of human resources.

"It saves on gas, gives me more time with family and I don't have to use vacation days to go to the doctor or dentist," said Nila Rose, a 24-year employee. "And you get a three-day weekend all the time."