State workers back to 8-to-5
The Columbus Dispatch ^ | February 22, 2008 | Catherine Candisky and Alan Johnson
Gov. Ted Strickland is taking the flex out of flexible work hours for thousands of government workers.
The policy change has angered some state employees, many of whom have worked nontraditional schedules for as long as 18 years to accommodate child care, spend more time with family members or carpool with neighbors.
Under the new personnel policy, most state employees will work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with an hour for lunch, unless there is a job-related reason for a different schedule. The new rules take effect March 3 in at least one agency, and all state departments must comply by May 2.
The change reverses a Downtown traffic-congestion relief plan worked out by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission with city, county and state government agencies in 1990. The agreement resulted in many government employees starting their workdays earlier or later, while others have condensed schedules, such as 10-hour, four-day workweeks.
The administration's directive is an effort to improve customer service by making sure that agencies are fully staffed during business hours. It's not uncommon for some state offices to be lightly staffed on Friday afternoons.
"The governor asked (agencies) to review the time and attendance policies and take a common-sense approach, with an eye toward ensuring the best possible public service and taxpayer accountability," said Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey.
Ray Bauman, who works for the state fire marshal's office in the Department of Commerce, said the changes will affect most of the division's 250 employees.
Read the rest at:
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/02/...
Who *+@*& cares? How about LOWER TAXES? Someone else please run for gov.
Ironic that union labor supports Republican policies! Works the same way in reverse.
Guess it sucks to be a state employee now...
Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter (African proverb)
Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter (African proverb)
It's a two edge sword. I love being able to flex my schedule when needed, but I know that not being at work during normal business hours can make it a bit harder for those who need me complete their job.
The cynical part of my personality things "well, if the state employees aren't satisfied with their new work schedule, there are hundreds if not thousands of other Ohioans who would be happy to take their place." sigh