Published: May 28, 2008 11:52 pm      

St. Francis introduces 4-day workweek

LORETTO — Amanda Stoehr of Altoona, Tom Fritz of Johnstown and lots of others got good news Wednesday.

Getting to their jobs at St. Francis University should cost them less in gasoline this summer despite rising fuel prices.

St. Francis officials have embraced a plan that allows employees to work longer hours to reduce their workweek to four days, spokesman Ross Feltz said.

“It’s about personnel costs for employees. We’re trying to help them,” he said.

An alternate work schedule will be implemented in departments where scheduling is flexible and services will not be hindered, Feltz said. All departments will remain staffed five days a week.

“The human resources department gave the go-ahead to any department that can work this out with their employees,” he said.

The alternate schedule will last from Monday until Aug. 9, when instructors return for the fall semester.

But officials may extend it in departments where it would not interfere with education, Feltz said.

Stoehr, who drives 43 miles daily to her job in marketing, has her fingers crossed.

“I really, really hope that happens,” she said of the year-round idea.

Fritz, the university’s controller, said the 70-mile round trip from Johnstown costs him $20 a day.

“It’s definitely going to be a money saver,” he said.

The savings also may include reduced child-care costs for employees with young children.

The effort may not work in all areas of the college.

“For physical plant, dining services, it is challenging,” Feltz said.

A shorter workweek also contributes to overall resource conservation.

“It certainly fits our Franciscan values,” Feltz said.