In today’s economic climate it is no surprise that most people are nervous, worried and counting their pennies, if they are fortunate enough to have any. In Northampton as elsewhere workers and retirees are losing value in their savings and pensions plans. At the same time pressure is mounting to increase local taxes by way of a Proposition 2 1/2 override. This is sure to be about as divisive as the current presidential competition is. While there are no quick solutions to our fiscal dilemmas, one thing that I’d like to see is more innovation in government, more thinking outside of the box as they say.
For example as a cost cutting measure enacting a four day work week is an option that could be explored further. Though school systems in Mass. cannot by law enact a four day week, it is possible that other municipal departments could explore the option and perhaps try out a pilot program to see how well it works. Below I’ve included some links that provide some of the pros and cons of such a policy. I believe further study is warranted locally because at this point everything should be on the table. It may be cliche to suggest it, but residents should be able to expect that government should at least try to do the same or more with less. With a tip of the cap to Einstein, we can’t keep doing things the same way over and over again and expect to get different results.
Most state workers in Utah shifting to four day work week
Soaring fuel prices drive some to try four-day workweeks
Are four day workweeks the future?
CNBC four day workweek video (use Internet Explorer)
