FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. — Last October San Juan County decided to try something different.
County workers traded in the old 40-hour work week for 32 hours.
Same pay. Same workload. The same level of productivity is expected.
County worker Tyler Davis did not know what to expect when the new program was introduced last fall.
"At first I thought they were joking," Davis said.
It's no joke. Most people employed by San Juan County now work 32-hour weeks for 40 hours of pay with the expectation that the same amount of work gets done. Sheriff's deputies and emergency services are exempt.
Davis now spends a lot more time with his family and saves money on daycare. Work is better, too.
"Morale has certainly improved," Davis said. "We all enjoy the three-day weekend. There's not as much anxiety. There's a lot fewer Sunday scaries."
County officials said they're seeing less sick time used, positions left vacant for years are being filled and taxpayers have saved about a million dollars through benefit and cost of living adjustments -- all without a decrease in productivity.
County human resources worker Nadine Varsovia finished a master's degree in her spare time. She sees the shorter work week as a definite draw for prospective employees.
"They tell me they get worked to the bone in private industry and don't really get paid overtime," Varsovia said. "This is what people are looking for. A nice job with stability. You work hard and you still get to go home at the end of the day."
A recent employee survey finds 78% felt the change had a positive impact on their mental health.
According to the survey, 71% of employees reported feeling better rested and 67% had increased job satisfaction.
Some departments like public works and the tax assessor's office are having a tough time squeezing all of their duties into 32 hours, but for the most part, the new schedule is working.
"Public works isn't cutting programs," said Brandon Andrews, interim assistant county manager. "Parks are still open seven days a week. Campgrounds are open. The Health Department is still taking care of all of its major functions. We're seeing most of our major functions keep up with where we were before."
But the county is not declaring victory over the 40-hour work week just yet. Officials will reassess in October, and in October 2025 before determining whether to continue the program.