“Boosting Morale, Performance and Savings Via Compressed Work Weeks " Netconference

On June 24, 2010,  the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) and the National Center for Transit Research (NCTR) at the University of South Florida held a netconference on Boosting Morale, Performance and Savings Via Compressed Work Weeks.

The National Center for Transit Research (NCTR) at the University of South Florida and the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) have arranged for two presenters to share their organization’s experiences in introducing compressed work week programs for their employees so transportation and human resource professionals can learn from their successes and learning experiences.

• Green Friday at City of Avondale. In June 2008, Avondale, Ariz. (population 82,000 (2008)) was the first city in the state to move to a four-day work week. Known as Green Friday, the program was embraced by employees and the public alike as a means of saving taxpayer dollars, providing enhanced customer service with longer hours Monday through Thursday, reducing single occupancy vehicle trips, and boosting morale and productivity. Pier Simeri, Community Relations & Public Affairs Director, City of Avondale, described how they made it work with right timing, progressive leadership, flexibility, understanding customers’ needs, and creative marketing. All were ingredients for Avondale’s Green Friday success.

• The Working 4 Utah Initiative. In August 2008, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman launched the Working 4 Utah initiative. This initiative was intended to extend state government services that are not already available during extended hours and weekends – from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The purpose of the initiative was to make a positive impact in the areas of energy consumption, extended customer service, employee recruitment and retention, and reducing the environmental impact of state government operations. Jeff Herring, the Executive Director of the Department of Human Resource Management for the State of Utah, summarized the lessons learned and impacts that informed the discussion about whether the change should be made permanent. For example, the final employee survey indicated the negative impact of the initiative on commuters using transit was less than anticipated (9% actual instead of 14% anticipated). While this is encouraging, the amount of employees impacted is still significant. The State encouraged carpooling by developing an online matching tool specific to state employees.

Moderator: Donna Smallwood, MassRIDES/URS

The 67 minute streaming media recording also includes about 30 minutes of questions and answers. 

View the streaming media recording of the presentations  (You need Windows Media Player™  to view) (89 minutes)

Copy of all the PowerPoint slides (pdf)

Receive credit toward Commuter Choice Certificate

If you view before June 30, 2010, you also have the option of receiving one free credit under Commuter Choice Certificate program http://www.commuterservices.com  managed by the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida if you provide your contact information on the feedback form at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cww

Links

List of all NCTR Netconferences