GovernmentExecutive.com

The Office of Personnel Management opposes a proposal by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to create a four-day, 40-hour work week for federal employees.

A compressed schedule would hurt the government's ability to provide essential services and weaken national security, OPM acting Director Michael Hager wrote in a letter to the Maryland Democrat. Homeland security and intelligence operations, for instance, must run around the clock, Hager stated.

He also expressed concern that some employees could find the new hours burdensome. Many care for young children or aging adults, he said, making it difficult for them to work longer days. Others depend on mass transit or carpools, he noted.

"At a time when figures show the government is facing a major loss of workforce skills due to impending baby boomer retirements, OPM is working aggressively with other federal agencies to recruit and retain workers with critical skills," Hager wrote. "Forcing employees into a four-day work week could undermine those efforts."

Additionally, Hager noted that federal agencies already are using workplace flexibilities, including compressed schedules, when appropriate. He pointed to recent statistics that estimate more than 50 percent of the workforce has some type of flexible work arrangement.

"We strongly believe the current system is effective and is already helping federal employees reduce fuel consumption," he wrote.

OPM will continue to promote workforce flexibilities through Chief Human Capital Officers Council forums, managerial training on telework and an interactive Web site on the benefits of the alternative arrangement, Hager said.

"We believe each federal agency is in the best position to determine the extent to which it uses these flexibilities to achieve the optimum balance between employee flexibility and the agency's ability to effectively carry out its mission," the letter stated.

Hoyer recommended the compressed work week in an Aug. 4 letter to then-OPM Director Linda Springer. He said the new schedule would help reduce traffic congestion and gas consumption.

Stephanie Lundberg, a spokeswoman for the majority leader, said on Wednesday that OPM misinterpreted the four-day work week proposal by assuming it would be mandated for all federal employees. "While we appreciate OPM's timely response, we had hoped for a more thoughtful and constructive discussion about how the federal government can increase energy conservation, save tax dollars, and improve recruitment and retention through workforce flexibilities," she said.

An official response to OPM's letter is forthcoming, Lundberg added.

COMMENTS

• Tell me again how having every Friday off makes it HARDER to care for your aging grandma? Most of the arguments against 4-10's are couched in fear and lies. Managers suspect their minions will goof off. Mid-level supervisors are afraid they won't have their underlings available just-in-case, and the non-essentials are afraid someone will realize they are unnecessary. The argument about 4-10's causing problems with recruitment and retention is equally false. Having every Friday off is unattractive how? Seems like a recruitment incentive to me. I am on hot stand-by for some 3-day weekends! Mars Posted October 24, 2008 9:51 AM
• This was hit right on the head by a previous comment as "I was surprised how many people commented on the article that appeared not to understand what the purpose of a compressed work schedule is for, to close govt facilities to save energy, and shorten days to save commuting costs for employees. Many State and Local governments use this schedule and save alot of money for the taxpayers, without loss of services. Concerns about childcare and the like are the employees concerns to coordinate." A compressed work week for all,would be a positive move. I believe any legislative intervention would require senior leadership throughout the various agencies to at least open, what is otherwise, very closed minds. This comment is brought up continuously in this office and when I was in the Blue collar jobs for 20 plus years. The average worker never even gets consideration for this. Sure white collar and secretary type positions get to have flex. and or 4-10 day. But we all drive and or commute in some way to get to work. With astronomical gas prices and traffic jams every day, this 4-10's needs to be implimented now. Not put out on some study program and take 10 yrs. to figure it out! Which is what old time management will do instead of working with new ideas and ways to go about what we do. C.R. (30 yr. gov. employee, and would like to see this in my career time.) Posted September 17, 2008 5:02 PM
• Our agency has Maxiflex. However, working at home is not a consideration. Many of management feel more comfortable if they can physically see their employees on a daily basis, unless they are in travel status. Given fuel costs, one day to work at home on a project where freedom from the noise of "cubicle living" would be appreciated and even more productive, would be welcomed by most - - if they had the choice, and if the project were appropriate. Aggie Posted September 15, 2008 3:33 PM