County employees working 32-hour weeks report better job satisfaction, mental health

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. (KING) – Employees are singing the praises of a four-day workweek in the first county in Washington state to implement such a schedule.

Mondays aren’t quite so bad for folks like Tyler Davis, who does environmental work for San Juan County. When the county switched to a 32-hour workweek last October, he wasn’t sure what to think.

“At first, I thought they were joking,” Davis said.

Six months later, most people employed by the county now work 32-hour weeks for 40 hours of pay with the expectation that the same amount of work gets done. Sheriff’s deputies and emergency services are exempt.

Davis says he spends a lot more time with his family now and saves money on daycare. Work is better, too.

“Certainly, morale has improved. We all enjoy the three-day weekend to do more. There’s not as much anxiety, I don’t think,” he said.

County officials say they’re seeing less sick time used, positions left vacant for years are being filled and taxpayers have saved about $1 million through benefits and cost of living adjustments – all without a decrease in productivity.

Nadine Varsovia, a county human resources worker, finished a master’s degree with her spare time. She sees the shorter workweek as a draw for prospective employees.

“That’s what a lot of people are looking for: a nice job to give you stability. You can work hard but then still get to go home at the end of the day,” Varsovia said.

A recent employee survey found 78% felt the change had a positive impact on their mental health, 71% reported feeling better rested and 67% had increased job satisfaction.

Some departments, like public works and the tax assessor’s office, are having a hard time squeezing all of their duties into 32 hours, but for the most part, the new schedule is working.

“Public works isn’t cutting programs. Parks are still open seven days a week… The health department is still taking care of all of its major functions. So, we’re seeing most of our major functions keep up with where we were at before,” said Interim Assistant County Manager Brandon Andrews.

Despite the positive signs, the county isn’t declaring victory over the 40-hour workweek just yet. They’re going to reassess in October and then a year after that before coming to their final conclusion.

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