Laid-back San Juan County is fully embracing the concept of island life.
The small, waterbound county in Washington state is moving most of its employees to a 32-hour work week while keeping their pay steady.
The County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the change, which officials negotiated with a labor union that represents 142 nurses, environmental stewards, road-crew workers, park workers, clerks and other county employees. They account for about 70% of the county’s labor force. Sheriff’s office employees and employees in management won’t be affected.
San Juan County, which encompasses the San Juan Islands (like San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw), and which has a population of about 18,000, is one of the first local governments in the U.S. to ditch a 40-hour work week, officials say, joining a growing trend among some private employers.
The county’s leaders say they’re making the change to keep their budget under control, address staffing challenges and give employees more personal time. Cutting hours while paying employees the same amount of money will effectively increase their per-hour wage rates without requiring the county to raise taxes, the leaders say, hoping to attract job applicants who are seeking a superior work-life balance. Employees with 32-hour weeks will have more time to hike, bike, volunteer, see doctors and hang out with their kids.
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