BY ANDREW FAISON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
andrew.faison@tidewaternews.com

ISLE OF WIGHT—The Isle of Wight County supervisors on Thursday voted unanimously to allow employees to work four-day weeks beginning Jan. 28.

“Anytime we can offer an incentive or benefit to our employees at a low cost in this economy we should take advantage of it,” said Board Chairwoman JoAnn Hall. “In this case we can at least try it for six months; this program is the modern way.”

County Administrator Douglas Caskey said operating hours for offices will remain the same. Employees will have the option to work nine-hour days, or four, 10-hour days.

Supervisor Al Casteen initially opposed the proposal, assuming it would cost the county more money.

“With this program, the buildings would be open later,” Casteen said. “That would impact the utilities for those buildings.”

Caskey feels that costs will not increase.

“On days that an employee is not at work, it will be a decrease on utilities that day and balance from days where they are at work longer,” he said.

“When this six months is over, I would like to see an operational expense (report),” said Supervisor Byron Bailey.

Director of Human Resources Brandy Day said the shorter work week is voluntary. The program was explored at the request of employees.

“This was ongoing prior to my arrival in terms of discussion amongst employees,” Day said. “On my first day, two employees came to see me on this subject.”

Supervisor Dee Dee Darden opposed it at first.

“But this will be a trial period, and we owe it to our employees,” said Darden said.