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Washington, D.C.—The leader of the nation’s largest independent union of federal employees today welcomed action by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) to expand work schedule options for federal employees.

Rep. Hoyer made the request for a comprehensive analysis on how federal agencies might transition to a four-day, 10 hour-a-day work week in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Rep. Hoyer is exploring this option as a way to reduce gas consumption and commuting costs.

President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which has long been the leader in the fight to expand telework and other flexible working arrangements throughout the federal sector, said “Rep. Hoyer should be commended for pushing OPM on this. His suggestion would go a long way toward encouraging federal agencies to expand the range of options for federal employees.”

In his letter, the Majority Leader said that such a schedule would be a particular plus in the Washington, D.C., area, where some 400,000 residents are federal employees. In addition to lessened traffic congestion, he cited potential gains in energy savings for federal agencies.

President Kelley noted that NTEU consistently presses agencies in contract negotiations to include provisions giving employees options other than the traditional five-day work week. These are particularly useful in helping agency recruitment and retention efforts, she said, by showing employees —both current and prospective—that the federal government is keenly aware of the importance of a work-life balance. Some NTEU contracts offer a ‘four-ten’ option, as well as other alternative work schedules.

She added: “Alternative work schedules are an excellent tool to improve employee morale and productivity while reducing energy consumption and commuting costs. The business of the federal government is no longer conducted on a strictly 9 to 5 basis and these options increase agency flexibility to respond to emerging issues.”