In the Washington county of San Juan, the transition to a 32-hour, or 4-day workweek, has generated a year’s worth of data that has county workers excited.
The cash-strapped San Juan had projected that the union-negotiated salary rises would climb above the payroll budget for the year, and the reduction in working hours has helped avoid that red ink.
But on a human level, 87% of county workers report the impact of the 32-hour workweek (32HWW) improved their well-being and work-life balance.
“The data from the one-year report paints a picture of both successes and areas for continued improvement,” said County Manager Jessica Hudson. “The initial results are encouraging, but we know there is still much more to learn as we continue to gather and assess data over the coming year.”
Additionally, since the implementation of the 32HWW, interest in county employment among San Juan islanders has dramatically increased. The total number of applicants has spiked by 85.5% and the time it takes to fill positions has dropped by 23.75% when comparing pre and post 32HWW data.
Voluntary separations (quitting, retiring) have decreased by 48% between Q1-Q3 of 2023 vs 2024, allowing the county to retain the skilled workforce necessary to incorporate the increased load of responsibilities and tasks.
Not that it was such a change, the large majority (55%) of county workers said that losing an entire day of potential productivity didn’t impact their workflow in a way that mattered to them. 31% said it affected it negatively.
Several methods have been used to better organize the 32 hours available, the report on the first year’s findings found. These include holding fewer, or more streamlined meetings, finding new software to organize workflow, or utilizing existing software more, and a general increased focus on organization and efficiency throughout county staff.
Even though in theory everyone in the San Juan workforce is working a day less, working hours only fell 13% thanks to fewer vacancies prompting less overtime, and the continuous support of part-time staff whose hours were unchanged.
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“The 32 HWW made it possible for me to work with less ‘mom guilt’ knowing I have Fridays off to spend one-on-one time with my youngest child and take them to Friday morning library storytime and dance classes,” said one employee.
85% of surveyed workers said last year they avoided using vacation time to plan medical procedures or do errands, a major improvement no doubt.
It should be noted there was a small minority who reported the 32HWW negatively affecting workflow and that rather than improving their work-life balance, the increased demand during working hours has bled stress into their 3-day weekend.
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“We are committed to transparency and collaboration in continuing forward with the 32-hour work week, knowing that many eyes are looking to San Juan County to see what might be feasible elsewhere across the state and the nation,” said Hudson.
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