We're eager to see if the state's new experiment with a four-day work week will pan out. Two similar experiments right here in Utah County suggest what will happen.

Other savings are possible. For example, state employees may use state vehicles less, reducing gasoline and other expenses.

Individual employees might save gas because they won't have to commute to work that fifth day -- but of course they might drive to a mall, a golf course or somewhere else instead, possibly using even more gas.

It's not clear how staffers will respond. Many will welcome the three-day weekend. But will parents have to adjust day-care or baby-sitting schedules? Will it cost them more money because they have to add two hours to the day? We suppose it depends upon the price structure of the day-care center.

Take people who are trying to further their education at night school. Some will have spouses or families with schedules that don't mesh with the four-day routine. Others will be disillusioned at finding that the home chores they can't get done Monday through Thursday anymore will pile up on Friday.

Of course, many people would think such inconveniences would be worth it to get a three-day weekend every week.

But what about the convenience of residents who are supposed to be served by various departments of state government? If state employees are there to serve the public, doesn't the public deserve service on Friday? It's true that the longer hours will be convenient for many folks, presumably enabling them to stop by a state office after work. But what about those who need assistance on Friday? Some people have schedules that compel them to take care of all their errands on Friday.

Think about it: Will state employees taking Friday off now complain that they can't do business with state agencies?

The experience of two Utah County cities suggests what will happen in the end.

A study of Spanish Fork's municipal operations, released last month by two Brigham Young University professors, suggested that four 10-hour days during the work week increase job satisfaction and productivity.

Professors Lori Wadsworth and Rex Facer, from the Romney Institute of Public Management, analyzed surveys given to Spanish Fork City employees and residents of the city in 2004. The researchers found that 60 percent of employees reported higher productivity, and 60 percent of residents reported improved access to municipal services.

"In terms of employee morale, there seems to be a very strong benefit," Facer said.

But, although Friday had traditionally been a slow day for the city's operations, some residents wanted to be able to conduct business that day. Spanish Fork again changed its schedule. It is now a more integrated schedule with some employees working 4/10 weeks, while others are back to a typical schedule. This change leaves the offices open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

Provo City also experimented with a 4/10 schedule, but the schedule was recently modified to bring employees back into the office on Fridays. The city initially began using the 4/10 schedule years ago to save costs on utilities, janitorial services and overtime pay, as well as to give employees a better commute window.

In January, the city opened its offices for a full day on Fridays in certain departments, including community development, energy, public works and parks and recreation. Some departments were more likely to receive visits on Fridays, such as vacationers who may need parks information for the weekend.

We'd bet that the state will find a similar impact. It's likely the state will have to modify the plan, staggering employees' schedules and having some work Fridays, especially in offices that the public uses frequently.

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