Comments on: Reform: The New Work Week http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/reform-the-new-work-week/ A Forum for Our State's Future Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:22:28 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: JJ http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/reform-the-new-work-week/comment-page-1/#comment-802 JJ Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:34:26 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=889#comment-802 Its interesting the way Brooks did it. He's actually increased the number of hours that county office buildings will have to be air-conditioned and be well lighted -- from 40 plus hours to on average 50 - 70 hours since people could start an hour or two earlier or stay an hour or two later. It's great for employees, since they will now have 3 day weekends, if they want, to spend with family and friends. It should increase county costs during the summer, unless they run electricity and air-conditioning full throttle 24/7. It would be nice if the enhanced hours, by department were posted, and would have been better if there was joint planning ahead of time. It might mean many offices now will be staffed to 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., and could start as early as 5:30 in the morning. Its interesting the way Brooks did it. He's actually increased the number of hours that county office buildings will have to be air-conditioned and be well lighted — from 40 plus hours to on average 50 – 70 hours since people could start an hour or two earlier or stay an hour or two later.

It's great for employees, since they will now have 3 day weekends, if they want, to spend with family and friends.

It should increase county costs during the summer, unless they run electricity and air-conditioning full throttle 24/7.

It would be nice if the enhanced hours, by department were posted, and would have been better if there was joint planning ahead of time. It might mean many offices now will be staffed to 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., and could start as early as 5:30 in the morning.

]]> By: Steve http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/reform-the-new-work-week/comment-page-1/#comment-808 Steve Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:24:37 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=889#comment-808 Heres an interesting link to a PDF presentation by a PA school district near Philadelphia back in 2001 on AFVs with some interesting statistics and ideas. http://www.p2pays.org/ref/36/35363.pdf Heres an interesting link to a PDF presentation by a PA school district near Philadelphia back in 2001 on AFVs with some interesting statistics and ideas.
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/36/35363.pdf

]]> By: Steve Wei http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/reform-the-new-work-week/comment-page-1/#comment-807 Steve Wei Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:40:27 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=889#comment-807 Gas is breaking most people and agencies right now. Here are a couple ideas - In pondering the school bus fuel costs most school systems are hurting with now, and an article about that from ABC today. - http://abcnews.go.com/Business/PainAtThePump/story?id=5228545&page=1 Idea #1 - In situations where busing is cutting back and children under highschool age have to walk quite a way to school, there are fears of accidents hitting children, there are fears of predators and kidnappers, or also fears of bullying by older or bigger students etc. How about school systems propose Adult volunteer programs from within school districts parents, and employees to Walk with kids for a mile or so in the radius that Systems have Cut out busing kids in because they fall within a radius deemed too close. They can easily keep a list of students, contact numbers and addresses and walk nicely to school as a group under adult supervision and protection. That would also get parents and community adults involved and potentially strike up new and lasting relationships as well as help motivate students and parents to participate together with School teachers and employees. All potential. #2 - Set up a New system of busing kids. Use smaller commercial transport vehicles that get better gas mileage to pick up kids farther out and bring them in closer to drop off points like "carpool lots" but for Student bus pool lots instead. Districts could utilize much higher mpg vehicles to bring them in to be loaded aboard larger full size buses for a shorter, less gas hogging trip to the schools from 5-6 radial locations around the district. The article on ABC noted the Maryland school district stated, one bus averages 6.1mpg, and they drive a combined 100,000 miles a day. Thats insane. I think it would help to remove all of the aging fleet that gets the worst mpg and replace with a fleet of simple, smaller, more nimble and economical vehicles and alter the way school transportation is handled. These are things the Government could be helping fund that would reduce our nation's dependance on oil and gas. What to do with the replaced vehicles? sell to 3rd world nations or developing ones like China, India, places in south/central america that need more transports for such concentrated populations. Get some money for them and help out those nations that need lower priced equipment. Just a couple Ideas. I know some school districts have also considered 4 day school weeks. I wonder if that would work for parents, sports, etc. Gas is breaking most people and agencies right now.
Here are a couple ideas -
In pondering the school bus fuel costs most school systems are hurting with now, and an article about that from ABC today. – http://abcnews.go.com/Business/PainAtThePump/story?id=5228545&page=1

Idea #1 -
In situations where busing is cutting back and children under highschool age have to walk quite a way to school, there are fears of accidents hitting children, there are fears of predators and kidnappers, or also fears of bullying by older or bigger students etc.
How about school systems propose Adult volunteer programs from within school districts parents, and employees to Walk with kids for a mile or so in the radius that Systems have Cut out busing kids in because they fall within a radius deemed too close.
They can easily keep a list of students, contact numbers and addresses and walk nicely to school as a group under adult supervision and protection.

That would also get parents and community adults involved and potentially strike up new and lasting relationships as well as help motivate students and parents to participate together with School teachers and employees.
All potential.

#2 – Set up a New system of busing kids.
Use smaller commercial transport vehicles that get better gas mileage to pick up kids farther out and bring them in closer to drop off points like "carpool lots" but for Student bus pool lots instead. Districts could utilize much higher mpg vehicles to bring them in to be loaded aboard larger full size buses for a shorter, less gas hogging trip to the schools from 5-6 radial locations around the district.

The article on ABC noted the Maryland school district stated, one bus averages 6.1mpg, and they drive a combined 100,000 miles a day.
Thats insane.

I think it would help to remove all of the aging fleet that gets the worst mpg and replace with a fleet of simple, smaller, more nimble and economical vehicles and alter the way school transportation is handled.

These are things the Government could be helping fund that would reduce our nation's dependance on oil and gas.

What to do with the replaced vehicles? sell to 3rd world nations or developing ones like China, India, places in south/central america that need more transports for such concentrated populations. Get some money for them and help out those nations that need lower priced equipment.

Just a couple Ideas.
I know some school districts have also considered 4 day school weeks. I wonder if that would work for parents, sports, etc.

]]> By: Mary E http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/reform-the-new-work-week/comment-page-1/#comment-806 Mary E Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:43:12 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=889#comment-806 I like the idea of a 4 day work week. Let's take it one step further - CLOSE all those government offices on Fridays. Now, we're savings even more - in precious tax dollars. We can get to a Sec of State office Mon - Thu! I like the idea of a 4 day work week. Let's take it one step further – CLOSE all those government offices on Fridays. Now, we're savings even more – in precious tax dollars. We can get to a Sec of State office Mon – Thu!

]]> By: paul n. shaheen http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/reform-the-new-work-week/comment-page-1/#comment-805 paul n. shaheen Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:31:19 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=889#comment-805 It is a good idea. If so many are concerned about this why are we not demanding that the huge profits by oil companies be attacked by Congress. Have they bought the whole place? Psul It is a good idea. If so many are concerned about this why are we not demanding that the huge profits by oil companies be attacked by Congress. Have they bought the whole place?
Psul

]]> By: Joe http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/reform-the-new-work-week/comment-page-1/#comment-804 Joe Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:44:41 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=889#comment-804 FTD established a summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) four day work week about 35 years ago when they were still headquartered in metro Detroit and had a truly innovative leader. Similar to the Oakland County plan, it was done to give employees more family time while getting more enjoyment out of the summer months. This lasted for a number of years before, for whatever reason, it was dropped. Today, transportation costs alone can more than justify the four day workweek. Hooray for Patterson! FTD established a summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) four day work week about 35 years ago when they were still headquartered in metro Detroit and had a truly innovative leader. Similar to the Oakland County plan, it was done to give employees more family time while getting more enjoyment out of the summer months. This lasted for a number of years before, for whatever reason, it was dropped. Today, transportation costs alone can more than justify the four day workweek. Hooray for Patterson!

]]> By: farlane http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/reform-the-new-work-week/comment-page-1/#comment-803 farlane Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:52:59 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=889#comment-803 Great post, Phil! I'd also add that in addition to money saved, 4-day-a-week workers also have more time to spend with their families and even (dare we hope) taking short weekend trips in Michigan, boosting our economy! Great post, Phil! I'd also add that in addition to money saved, 4-day-a-week workers also have more time to spend with their families and even (dare we hope) taking short weekend trips in Michigan, boosting our economy!

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