Alternative Work Schedules
Amending the traditional work schedule to lessen or to eliminate time employees physically spend in the office reduces total commute times. For example, some employers are implementing a system in whch employees elect to have longer work days (10 hours instead of the traditional 8 hours) resulting in four-day work weeks.
RATIONALE
By extending work days to allow employees to have corresponding days off weekly or biweekly, the number of cars on roads can be significantly reduced with corresponding decreases in air pollution, greenhouse gas production, and fossil fuel demand.
EFFORT REQUIRED
Alternative work schedules do not require large investments of time or resources in most offices. It is necessary to have well-defined policy and protocols, to educate employees about the program and expectations, and to train supervisors so that they can manage off-site workers effectively. Most offices already have computer networks which permit secure dial-in access, file sharing, email, video-conferencing, and a host of other popular productivity tools.
BENEFITS
- Implementing alternative work schedules reduces traffic congestion, gasoline usage, and greenhouse gas emissions by reducing commute times
- Productivity can rise as employees tend to prefer their reduced commute and extra personal time
- Practices such as desk-sharing and flex time, when added to alternate work schedules, allow for maximum efficiency of office resources (energy use, water demand, physical square footage, etc.)
RISKS
- Not all jobs are appropriate for alternate work schedules. An assessment must be done to determine the suitability of particular jobs for such schedules
- For those who fear declines in worker productivity if employees are allowed to work off-site, experience shows that success depends more on managers and supervisors who are able to idenitfy work products and deliverables, and who can measure employee performance in terms of both ability to meet deadlines and quality of work
ACTION AGENT(S)
Managers, employers, policymakers, Human Resource department.
COST
No changes in compensation are necessary, as the total number of work hours for employees remain the same.
Greenhouse gases are a part of the Earth's atmosphere and are both naturally occurring and the result of human chemical processes. The most common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and chlorofluourocarbons. These gases trap heat and thus contribute to the warming of the planet. See also CFCS and GREENHOUSE EFFECT.The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
