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A police department in Golden, Colorado, recently transitioned to a 32-hour workweek — a significant shift from the traditional longer hours associated with law enforcement. This change has been met with surprise by many within the department, as the concept of a reduced workweek was previously unfathomable in this profession.
The trend towards shorter workweeks has gained momentum globally, especially as remote work has become more prevalent, allowing for increased flexibility. While some labor groups have pushed for a four-day workweek during negotiations, this particular police department’s adjustment to a condensed schedule posed several challenges but also presented an opportunity to test the feasibility of such a change across various job roles within the city’s workforce.
City officials held community meetings to address concerns about the new schedule, emphasizing that the expectation was not for employees to work less but rather to maintain or increase productivity within fewer hours. They aimed to ensure that service levels would remain consistent or improve despite the reduced hours.
Employees, including those in investigative roles, initially found the adjustment to be stressful, having to condense their workload into fewer days. However, many reported improvements in focus and productivity, as well as personal well-being thanks to an extra day off each week dedicated to family and personal time, according to CNN Business.
Public sentiment toward the shortened workweek has been positive, with high satisfaction scores from employees and no negative feedback from the community. The pilot program is being closely monitored for its effects on productivity and efficiency, with personal assessments forming an integral part of the evaluation.
As well as improving current staff well-being, the new work schedule is seen as a potential advantage in recruiting and retaining personnel in a field that has faced challenges in these areas. One new officer cited the shortened workweek as a motivating factor for joining the department, hoping it becomes a permanent feature.
Should the pilot prove successful, it may be expanded to include all city employees, though adjustments might vary based on role and responsibilities.
