By PAUL GULLY

Special Projects Editor

Following suit with Oakland County, Oakland University staff members now have the option of working a four-day work week.

In an effort to reduce fuel consumption, the university initiated what it’s calling a compressed work week pilot program, which began July 7 and will run through August 30.

The four-day work week, in which employees will work 10-hour shifts as opposed to eight, is not mandatory, but is an option for full-time staff members who choose to take advantage of it.

“We believe the compressed work week is a forward-thinking, employee-friendly approach to the economic crisis Michigan is facing, a situation compounded for many of our employees by today’s astronomical gas prices,” said John Beaghan, OU’s vice president for finance and administration.

“We’re happy to see that alternative schedules like this are catching on nationwide,” he added.

Departments and offices whose employees choose to work the four-day work week are to coordinate days off and stagger shifts to ensure there is adequate staffing so university services will be available five days a week.

Jean Ann Miller, OU’s director of the Center for Student Activities, has only a five minute commute to OU and will not be adopting the four-day work week. However, Miller supports the university’s attempt to reduce fuel consumption.

“I’m extremely supportive of the program. The rationale the university used was very well thought out,” Miller said.

While Miller is “all for it,” she did say that the compressed work may be tough for smaller departments with fewer employees to adopt.

According to a press release from the university, the program was also adopted, in part, to boost employee morale and save on transportation and childcare costs.

“The compressed work week is a win-win,” said Beaghan. “This model has the potential to introduce greater job satisfaction and lower stress levels for our talented staff, resulting in a higher level of productivity.”

Mary Isaacs, reservations coordinator in the Oakland Center, has long been hoping for a compressed work week and was excited when she found out OU would be offering it as an option.

“I’ve always wanted a four-day work week — for 35 years.” It saves gas and keeps my car in the garage for [an extra day].”

Alice Carleton, one of two department secretaries of Mathematics and Statistics, will be giving the new program a try beginning Monday, July 21.

“I’m going to give it a try and if I don’t like it, I’ll go back to working five eight-hour days,” she said.

Student employees and outside entities at OU, such as Chartwell’s, Barnes & Nobles, and Credit Union One, will not have the option and will continue working five eight-hour days per week.

Following the initial implementation, the program will be reviewed, and if determined successful, extending the program into the academic year will be considered.