A Northern Virginia delegate is proposing to cram a 40-hour workweek into four days for many state workers, in the hopes of recouping energy costs and encouraging Virginians to access the Internet for government services.
Del. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Woodbridge, said a Monday-to-Thursday week would allow the commonwealth’s large physical plants to close down for longer consecutive periods, saving on heating and electricity bills.
He plans to file a bill that would apply to all state workers, with the exception of public safety, National Guard, liquor stores, the Virginia lottery, higher education, parks, museums and road crews.
Because the workweek would still last 40 hours and state workers would not lose pay or benefits, he said, and would be able to add the hours in the early morning or evening.
“I think the work force is going to like this,” he said. “I think they’re going to enjoy it. I think we’re going to benefit from energy savings, and I think people are going to wind up using the Internet more” to access services.
State governments, as well as some Washington-area jurisdictions, have weighed shortening the workweek in an effort to find savings amid some of the worst budget shortfalls in years. Fairfax County officials have explored putting the change in place, and Montgomery County leaders pushed last year to expand flexible schedules to more of their employees.
In Virginia, which faces an at least $3 billion budget shortfall, the measure will be weighed along with scores of legislation that seek to cut costs. Lingamfelter said he did not yet know how much money the four-day week would save.
“I think we have to look at what operationally that would mean, but it’s worth looking at,” said Del. Robert Brink, D-Arlington, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
