Environmental Leader

Municipalities in Sudbury, Winchester, and Concord, N.H., are starting some employees on trial four-day work weeks, Boston.com reports.

The shorter workweek and longer workdays is meant to save money by reducing energy consumption for extended periods and is being touted as the new way to go green.

According to the article, there are six U.S. cities on a four-day, 10 hour schedule.

No workers means less energy-related overhead and a reduced carbon footprint. But the trend isn’t catching on with the corporate world, and when it has, it isn’t for green reasons. Typically corporations in highly competitive industries offer four-day workweeks to retain workers who need to juggle between family and work.

But with soaring fuel prices the potential energy savings may win over the private sector too.

Utah recently announced a shift to a four-day work week.

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