Thursday, August 14, 2008 4:10:41 PM

Fort Lauderdale, FL (SOBE) - I don't often see local, state and federal government as trend setters. However, the state of Utah has certainly earned that label. According to an article published today on CNN.com, state workers will be allowed to work 4 days out of the week. This is certainly a step in the right direction if you asked me.

In reducing the workweek by one day, workers will have more time to live, as well as save some money on the costs of going to and from work. The state will also have some financial benefits, so it may prove to be a win-win situation for those impacted by this move.

The question now becomes, will the private sector follow suit? Recently, there have been reports whereby employers are paying employees to use public transit in lieu of their vehicles to get to and from work. For instance, if you opt to use the train and or buses, the employers are subsidizing the entire cost per month for that employee. All in the name of offsetting the ongoing stresses the rise in fuel costs are causing America's workforce.

Now back to the 4 day workweek, I can certainly say that having an extra day to be free of day-to-day corporate saga, is a blessing. Let's see how long this lasts.

References:

cnn.com (2008) TGIT: 17,000 state workers move to four-day weeks. Retrieved August 14, 2008 from:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/08/13/utah.workweek/index.html