NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com
This summer, there was a lot of talk about employers switching to shorter workweeks (specifically, four 10-hour days each week) to save in-house energy costs and give employees some relief at the gas pump. I've heard some folks grumble that such schedule changes would be disastrous for parents with small kids. But I'd like to think that an organization flexible enough to adjust its workweek is flexible enough to accommodate workers who have child care conflicts with the suggested schedule changes.
Apparently the state government -- which saw some departments switch to a four-day workweek earlier this month -- was able to accomodate such workers. Among the adjustments: working from home on Fridays for those who couldn't always work 10-hour days Monday through Thursday.
This week we've heard about another kind of scheduling tweak in regional government to save money, and presumably jobs: the proposition of 15 King County unions that employees take 10 unpaid days off in 2009 to help the county ease next year's anticipated $93 million budget deficit. (In case you haven't been following along, at the start of October, King County Executive Ron Sims announced that 2009 would bring layoffs and wage freezes to some county employees in an effort to help balance next year's budget.)
I work for myself, so the thought of unpaid days off doesn't give me hives. For me, this is the norm. But I can understand why employees may not have the same reaction. So, readers, do tell: What would you be willing to tolerate to potentially save your job? Two weeks unpaid "vacation"? Ongoing overtime? A salary cut?
Freelance writer Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail her at ninetothrive@nwjobs.com.
By M on October 29, 2008 11:47 PM
Unfortunately, the forced vacation, AKA company shut-down, is becoming accepted industry practice. It is unfortunate, but I have not been able to take my vacation when I would like to for the last 7 years. It works out as a cut in salary for the middle class and a nice way that the company can make sure you don't take vacation when they don't want you to.
I'm curious if Ron Sims will be taking any unpaid days to help balance the budget or if he is only pushing this onto the employees with no say, in lower paying positions.
By DAW on October 30, 2008 2:36 PM
I work for the government and am part of the mandatory furlough. I actually think it is a great idea. It not only saves jobs, it saves some of the more needed programs which help the citizens of King County. While it may be harder for some, losing a job completely along with benefits would be even harder.
By A on October 30, 2008 2:37 PM
I wonder if you could get a public disclosure request for those who were not required to take the mandatory leave.
By MM on October 30, 2008 2:41 PM
I work for the government and like the idea of being forced to take time off. Unfortunately it is not paid, but I believe we are part of a team and I am willing to make concessions so that others would not lose their job.
By libbertine on October 30, 2008 2:53 PM
I think that as a way to save money in the short term (1-3 years), mandatory furloughs are ok. It will help preserve jobs during a tough financial period. But this is not a good long-term strategy. If the County's structural budget problems are not addressed, the County will need to figure out what a sustainable work force looks like, and downsize accordingly.
By ZZ on October 30, 2008 3:34 PM
The union members have not yet voted on whether to accept the furlough as outlined by Sims, so it was premature for him to announce an agreement. The majority of the furlough savings is not (by law) allowed to be used to help offset the General Fund shortfall and as such, should the union members vote to accept Sims' proposed plan, this will simply be an empty gesture!
By W on October 30, 2008 4:53 PM
As an employee of King County, I'm really conflicted about this measure. While I'm supportive of this measure in order to spare jobs, it's not a long-term solution to a problem that should have been looked at years ago. We all come to work every day in support of the county and the taxpayers, and to "reward" us with these furlough days is really disingenuous. I just hope that Mr. Sims comes up with a better strategy for what is only going to be a worse problem next year. Moving his office out of the Columbia Tower is a start; how about moving all County offices out of expensive downtown. It's expensive rent, expensive parking for citizens who need county services, and there's no need for thousands of employees to commute downtown on a daily basis, five days a week.
By 1 on November 7, 2008 3:15 PM
To adress the financial issues in King County Governmet the following should be addressed prior to claiming to balance the budget on the backs of the employees with an unpaid 10 day furlough in 2009. 1. The Judicial dept. should be self funded through fees to those convicted of crimes. Those who are indigent would work off payment pefoming work in the community. Eliminate the county Executive and Council and replace with three commishiners and a business manager elected to represent three areas of equaly divided, ( By population ), unincorporated King county. 3. Eliminate multi-layerd midddle management postions. 4. Rstructure and consoidate all county departments eliminating redundant supervisory positions. 5. Allow employees to have input on cost savings through gain sharing and productivity programs where a percentage of savings are added to employee wages. 6. Freeze all hiring. 7. Eliminate all temporary positions. 8. Stop renting equipment. 9. Utilize existing county buildings and properties rather than rent or lease. 10. DO NO SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU HAVE>
By 1 on November 7, 2008 3:18 PM
To adress the financial issues in King County Governmet the following should be addressed prior to claiming to balance the budget on the backs of the employees with an unpaid 10 day furlough in 2009. 1. The Judicial dept. should be self funded through fees to those convicted of crimes. Those who are indigent would work off payment pefoming work in the community. Eliminate the county Executive and Council and replace with three commishiners and a business manager elected to represent three areas of equaly divided, ( By population ), unincorporated King county. 3. Eliminate multi-layerd midddle management postions. 4. Rstructure and consoidate all county departments eliminating redundant supervisory positions. 5. Allow employees to have input on cost savings through gain sharing and productivity programs where a percentage of savings are added to employee wages. 6. Freeze all hiring. 7. Eliminate all temporary positions. 8. Stop renting equipment. 9. Utilize existing county buildings and properties rather than rent or lease. 10. DO NO SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU HAVE>