Rising gas prices lead S.C. governments to consider 4-day work weeks

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ With gas prices averaging around $4 a gallon, some South Carolina governments are taking cues from a growing number of workplaces around the country by offering shorter work weeks.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation rolled out a pilot program this week that offers four-day work weeks this summer in exchange for longer work days.

"Secretary Limehouse felt that this was a very important thing to do for employees because we have a number of employees that commute," said Mary Gail Monsts-Chamblee, director of human resources. "With the rising gas prices, he just felt that it was important to do something for employees to let them save a little bit of money in fuel costs."

The 4-day work week will begin Monday. The agency will remain opened five days a week, officials said.

At least five counties in South Carolina offer 4-day work weeks for some workers — mostly road and maintenance departments, according to the South Carolina Association of Counties. The plan is being considered by other county governments and implemented in a few cities and towns.

"Some cities can do it easier than others," said Reba Campbell, spokeswoman for the Municipal Association of South Carolina. "Big cities usually have more complex operations than the smaller cities do."

In Ware Shoals, several departments are working four 10-hour shifts to help cut fuel costs and power costs, town clerk Heather H. Fields said.

Oconee County planning director Art Holbrooks says road crews have been placed on a 4-day work week. The country previously tried a shorter week for workers in 2005 as gas prices began to rise, but has not yet approved another round for all workers.

The notion of a four-day work week is picking up speed across the country.

In Florida, several state agencies have already implemented the shorter schedule. It not only helps workers save gas, it could save the state a little money as well because it reduces energy use at the office, officials there said.

The Kentucky Secretary of State, Trey Grayson, is offering employees a four-day week in light of high gas prices.

Oklahoma House Rep. Mike Shelton is encouraging state agencies to adopt a compressed work week to spare employees some pain at the pump. On New York's Long Island, Suffolk County Legislator Wayne Horsley is making a similar proposal.

Condensed work weeks are the most popular program for employers trying to reduce workers' commuting costs, according to a recent survey by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a job placement consulting group.

Workers in South Carolina who will get a chance at a shorter work week welcomed the idea.

Donna Price used to spend $60 to $80 a week in gas traveling from Newberry to her job at the Department of Transportation in Columbia. News of a shorter work week could not have come at a better time — a recent move to the city of Laurens makes her commute to work 30 miles longer.

"It will save more money not only in gas but fewer oil changes, tires and breaks," she said. "I had been hoping that this was going to happen and had been anxiously awaiting the answer so it was like a celebration for me."

Department of Transportation worker Latasha Crumpton said she drives an SUV and the 4-day work week will help save money at the pump. She'll spend the extra day with her children and her husband, who's preparing for a second deployment to Iraq.

"I was ecstatic — very happy," said Crumpton. "Just having that extra time will make a longer work day worth it."