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What is the goal of the 4 day work week we are hearing so much about? Is it saving gas or having a day off? What type of job allows a 4 day work week? Is the Gas Savings more than the Electricity I’m going to use when I’m Home? The following section is a comparison of a typical 4 day Work Week vs. 1 day Telecommute, who and what type of job they are suited for.

The intent of this information is to share the experience of working full time from home after a 20 year White Collar IT career at 7 different Companies with various Staff and Senior Management positions, short and lengthy commutes. Add some basic Facts. Your opinion or situation may be different.

Assumptions:

• 9 hour work day (who works 8?)
• 30 minute work commute
• $4 Gas

4 Day Work Week:

Pros

• Day off Completely, no work communication
• Don’t need any type of Work Connectivity
• Save Gas

Cons

• Additional Home Energy Consumption
• 4 11+ hour days with no flexibility.
• Your Boss won’t like the fact he has to juggle schedule, because your off the clock.

Telecommuting:

Pros

• Maintain 9 hour a day work schedule. Your not spending your day off recovering from 4 11+ hour days.
• Maintain flexible daily schedule and commitments.
• Save Gas.
• Boss knows your there if he needs you. You still get work done.

Cons

• Additional Home Energy Consumption.
• Initial Home Office setup Costs, Internet, etc.

Conclusions:

• “White Collar” workers can take advantage of Telecommuting, “Blue Collar” workers typically use the 4 Day Work Week due to physical and manual labor.
• If your a recent College Grad, no kids, no established schedule or commitments, a 4 Day Work Week is recommended.
• If you are married, kids in daycare or after school programs with pick up times, Telecommuting is recommended.
• Both save Gas, but add to Home Energy Consumption.
• If you have a 15 minute across town commute Gas is still cheaper than the Electricity you will use in the Winter or Summer months if you choose the 4 Day Work Week .
• Bosses don’t like days off, as you know. It puts them in a position of juggling schedules, balancing workload, and answering the question “Where’s Pat”?, when something goes wrong. Then your phone rings, and your mad because your supposed to have the day off. For these reasons and others, 4 Day work Weeks tend to be a Senior Management decision, out of the control of your Boss, and not as widely adopted as rumored.
• Bosses are more inclined to allow Telecommuting because they know you are there if they need something, and you can continue your work. Prior to the Boss saying OK, he needs to trust you. See the “Approaching the Boss - Telecommuting” article on this site, for additional information on the preparation for Telecommuting and establishing “trust”.

For more information see the GazGuzla Telecommuter Hardware Checklist and Approaching the Boss - Telecommuting Articles.