With the burden of increasing gas prices squeezing the budgets of
commuters throughout the region, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) has
written a letter to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) proposing a policy initiative to limit unnecessary commuting by
urging federal agencies to adopt a four-day, 40-hour work week for
their employees.
The policy, which has been implemented by local and
state governments across the nation, would make the federal government
a partner in reducing petroleum consumption, which has been a key
factor in the recent decline in gas prices. The compressed work week
would also cut down on commuting costs for federal workers, as well as
all commuters who would benefit from the decrease in traffic
congestion.
Rep. Hoyer's letter requests a comprehensive analysis of a transition
to a four-day work week before August 31, including notice of any
additional actions Congress would need to take to implement such a
policy by the end of fiscal year 2008. While OPM has yet to respond in
the two weeks since the letter was sent, Rep. Hoyer looks forward to
hearing from the agency soon regarding this request.
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