Skip to main content

Is a Four-Day Workweek Right for Your Association?

 

Many organizations are considering moving to a four-day workweek. But how can you implement a flexible work schedule to staff and still provide the same level of service to members? One association shares how it found a balance through iteration and practice.

Rising gas prices after Hurricane Katrina and the 2007 financial recession led CUPA-HR to introduce the shorter workweek into its 2008 summer schedule to better support staff.

“We serve higher education, and since college campuses tend to be quiet during the summer, it made sense to try [the four-day workweek] then,” said Rob Shomaker, senior vice president of CUPA-HR.

Employees enjoyed the shorter schedule. Around 2010, CUPA-HR began experimenting with alternate work schedules during the remainder of the year. This past January, the four-day workweek became permanent.

“We tried it out in the spirit of flexibility and didn’t miss a beat,” Shomaker said.

He shared strategies for implementing a four-day workweek and how associations can create an environment that supports staff but also meets member expectations.

Feedback First

Shomaker said associations that are interested in a four-day workweek should seek frequent feedback from staff and be open to trying multiple iterations before settling on the final strategy.

“If we jumped straight into a year-long four-day workweek, it would have been hard,” he said. “It helped that we were willing to try different things, ask questions, and get honest feedback.”

To get feedback over the years, senior staff have asked supervisors to discuss the four-day workweek in one-on-one meetings with their team members or reached out to staff members themselves. Shomaker recommends trying out some of the suggestions or ideas that staff offer you.

“Getting new ideas and feedback helped us iterate and try new things,” he said. “For example, 10-hour days can be long for some folks, especially if you’ve got family obligations. So, we changed that as part of the summer schedule.” 

Five-Day Flexibility

Building an environment that promotes flexibility for staff and delivers on member expectations is crucial to implementing successful shorter workweek.

“We’ve had to learn [this balance] through iteration,” Shomaker said. “We’re a four-day organization with a five-day operation. We adjust where we need and make sure we give our team members space, so they don’t feel like they need to be strapped to their computers on Fridays.”

Although the CUPA-HR office is closed on Fridays, staff do work if critical issues pop up or if there’s an upcoming conference. The association approaches these situations with transparency, so staff aren’t surprised to work the additional day.

Email communication also makes the shorter workweek a bit easier. “It’s easier to triage issues, and much easier to manage questions via email on a Friday instead of having your phone ring when you’re off or with family,” Shomaker said.

Employee Buy-In

CUPA-HR was able to implement the abbreviated workweek in part because its staff are invested in its success.

“We want our staff to put their best effort forward and be able to live their lives,” Shomaker said. “You want to give your employees autonomy in this process while also being clear with your objectives.”

In his experience, Shomaker found that when employees are invested in the four-day workweek, they are more willing to work a full week when necessary to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“This approach is a way to help you take care of your team and still deliver value to members,” Shomaker said. “If your association has the capacity to incorporate a flexible schedule, I recommend giving it a try.”

Hannah Carvalho

By Hannah Carvalho

Hannah Carvalho is Senior Editor at Associations Now. MORE

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

NCOFCU - "Video Mini's" The Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve, often referred to as the Fed, is the central banking system of the United States. Established in 1913 by the Federal Reserve Act, the Federal Reserve serves several crucial functions in the U.S. economy. Here are the main aspects of the Federal Reserve:  Visit NCOFCU's YouTube channel for more. "Video Mini's" The NCOFCU "Video Minis" are a series of concise 2-3 minute video presentations designed to deliver valuable insights and knowledge on key topics relevant to credit unions. Each video focuses on a specific subject, providing viewers with essential information in a brief and engaging format. These mini-presentations cover a range of subjects. Perfect for busy professionals seeking quick yet impactful content, the Video Minis make it easy to stay informed and enhance your credit union's operations and member services. Join us in exploring these informative and dynamic learning opportunities!

Credit Unions Must Focus On Treasury Rates to Avoid Liquidity Crunch In 2025

By Ray Birch LAKE FOREST, Ill.—Credit unions seeking to avoid a liquidity crunch this year must pay attention to one key fact: deposit rates are now a function of Treasury rates. To protect and gain deposits, CUs must price deposit services with high rates to match government rates, explained Michael Moebs, economist and chair of Moebs $ervices (see graph showing average T-bond rates are all over 4%.) “The U.S Treasury is a competitor you can no longer avoid,” Moebs said. “Rates for transaction accounts, like interest checking and savings, need to be markedly higher for 20% of consumers who hold 80% of the balances for these services.” In March 2023, the Federal Reserve, not the FDIC, bailed out Silicon Valley Bank, guaranteeing all deposits with 90% exceeding the maximum FDIC insurance limits, Moebs pointed out. “Deposit insurance established in June 1933 was forever transformed. Sure, deposit insurance still exists, but is viewed by consumers and small businesses to have a new partne...

President Trump is leading the way toward reduced check usage by phasing out paper checks for government payments.

WASHINGTON—A new  executive order  from President Donald Trump bans paper checks as a form of payment for the federal government. The order was signed noting that Treasury checks are often reported stolen, and face other issues. The order also notes that payments made  to  the federal government are also modernizing. “Check fraud is a perennial concern for the banking industry, growing in recent years – reports doubled from 2021 to 2022. Target stores announced last year that they would stop accepting paper checks,” the Independent Community Bankers of America pointed out. “It's a great sign that the government is leading the way toward reduced check usage by phasing out paper checks for government payments,” said ICBA payments expert Scott Anchin, noting that consumers and financial institutions should maintain the ability to determine appropriate payment mechanisms for specific cases.  ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols said his organization welcomes President ...

5 ways credit unions can future-proof their technology for long-term success

Technology is evolving at lightning speed. If credit unions want to stay relevant and serve their members like rockstars, it’s time to think ahead. While this may sound daunting, it’s actually a thrilling time to be in the financial services business—especially as a credit union. By diving into cloud-based banking, embracing AI to handle manual, repetitive tasks, and doubling down on data security, credit unions can improve their members’ lives, and set themselves up for long-term success. Below are five ways credit unions stay ahead of the competition, no matter what comes next. 1. Embracing cloud-based banking When it comes to the future, transitioning to a cloud-based banking platform is one of the most significant steps a credit union can take, especially in terms of scalability and flexibility. Cloud platforms provide the infrastructure necessary for credit unions to efficiently manage operations, reduce IT costs, and respond quickly to market changes. As if all that wasn’t enough...

Will Fed be Watching ‘That ’70s Show,’ Economy Version? Debate is On

WASHINGTON–When the Fed opted not to raise rates last his week after expressing concerns over lingering inflation—while also stating it sees strength in the economy—there is another word it “dreads” but also didn’t mention, according to a new report. That word? Stagflation, an “an economic curse that is hard to escape.” Stagflation is the term used for a combination of high inflation, stagnant economic growth, and high unemployment. “Eager to soothe worried investors, businesses and consumers, the Fed urged caution about getting too worked up about its forecast, noting that inflation caused by tariffs may not be long lasting,” said CNN in an analysis released after the Fed adjourned this week. “Nevertheless, there’s no cocktail a central banker hates more than high unemployment mixed with high inflation.” Wall Street Gets Jitters The report noted that Wall Street has already begun to sound the alarm about stagflation, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has remained relatively “sanguine.”  “Bu...