By Joanna Putman
Police1
GOLDEN, Colo. — The Golden Police Department’s four-day work week pilot has concluded and preliminary results show promising trends, Colorado Community Media reported.
The pilot began in July 2023 when all GPD employees had their work week reduced to four days of eight-hour shifts with no reduction in pay, according to the report. Data from November shows that the move had decreased overtime spending by 80%, improved retention and lessened employees’ stress.
“One of the things I can tell you they really enjoy is the additional time with their families,” Commander Marcus Williams told CNN Business. “When [the patrol officers] come in, they’re energetic, more engaged, ready to hit the road and get work done.”
Employees are expected to increase productivity to accommodate their lessened hours, according to the CNN report.
“We’re not expecting people to work less, we’re asking them to work fewer hours but we’re asking them to get the same or more done in a shorter period of time,” City Manager Scott Vargo said.
The department hopes that if the four-day week becomes a permanent fixture, it will become a recruiting tool, according to the CNN report. One officer has already been hired who applied at the department hoping that the practice will continue.
“I really wanted to be able to do stuff with my family or enjoy the mountains in the winter,” Officer Madison Goss said. “[It’s] something I was kind of missing before.”
A public meeting will be held in February to discuss the successes and challenges of the pilot, according to the Colorado Community Media report.