Hawaii 4-Day Work Week

Hawaii recently passed a bill, HB856, to implement a 4-day workweek for state employees. The bill was introduced in the Hawaii House in early 2023 and has undergone several readings and referrals to committees​. It finally came into effect on January 1, 2024.

Under it, every state department must follow a 4-day, flexible work schedule for their employees. However, the actual administration of this policy is left to each department head. This includes the authority to opt out of implementing a compressed work week if the employee's physical presence is necessary at the worksite.

Here are some critical aspects of the bill:

• Standard working hours: Each employee is required to work 40 hours per week. This excludes holidays, sick days, or vacation days. The goal is to maintain the standard full-time work hours but condensed into fewer days.
• Public accessibility: Each department must remain open to the public five days per week during regular business hours. This ensures that reducing individual working days does not affect public service access.
• Flexible scheduling options: Departments can allow certain employees to work either 4 ten-hour days per week or continue with the standard 5 eight-hour days, with one of those days being remote. This flexibility must be applied fairly and without bias.
• Monitoring and reporting: If a department chooses to implement a 4-day workweek, it is required to track the usage of sick days and other paid time off by employees. They must also compile and submit a report on these patterns to the legislature each calendar year. This step ensures transparency and offers the opportunity to assess the impact of the new work schedule.

4 Reasons Why Hawaii Made a Shift to 4-Day Workweek

The decision by the Hawaii Legislature to adopt a 4-day workweek for state employees is driven by several critical factors, including:

• Relieving traffic congestion: This working model is a solution to reduce traffic congestion on Hawaii's roadways. The state aims to decrease the overall traffic volume by reducing the number of commuting days.
• Pandemic and workforce dynamics: The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting Great Resignation have significantly altered workforce dynamics. These events have increased interest in remote work and flexible work schedules. After experiencing remote work, many employees have begun reevaluating their working conditions and seeking flexibility in their jobs.
• ** Improved work-life balance: ** The shift also aims to offer better work-life balance to employees (https://4dayweek.io/work-life-balance/importance). With longer weekends, they can spend more time on personal activities, family care, and leisure, contributing to overall well-being.
• Cost savings: A condensed work week can lead to cost savings in various operational aspects of state departments, such as utilities and office maintenance expenses during non-working days.

4-Day Week in Hawaiian Schools

The 4-day school week in Hawaii is also gaining attention as an increasing number of school districts are adopting this schedule. This shift is primarily driven by the need to cut costs and address the ongoing shortage of teachers.

It began in smaller, rural schools but has now affected urban districts. However, the change has raised several concerns, including:

• Potential impacts on student learning
• Increase in risky behaviors during the extra day off each week
• Implications for student nutrition and physical health
• Increased childcare needs for families

While some view the 4-day school week as a potential recruitment and retention strategy for teachers, the broader effects on students and families remain the subject of ongoing debate.

Future of 4-Day Workweek in Hawaii

Although Hawaii has passed legislation regarding the 4-day workweek, efforts continue to reduce weekly working hours from 40 to 32. The SB2665 Bill, introduced by Senator Chris Lee, marks significant progress in this direction.

The bill will be referred to the Labor and Technology and Ways and Means committees on January 24, 2024. It establishes a task force to evaluate the implementation of reduced work hours for state workers. The task force is mandated to submit a report on its findings and will dissolve on June 30, 2025.

Wrapping Up

Hawaii has successfully implemented a 4-day workweek for its state employees. Building on this progress, there is speculation that the state might reduce weekly working hours to 32 if evaluations of the recently passed legislation demonstrate positive outcomes.

If you are seeking a job with a flexible schedule, check out our job board. Our platform lists a variety of remote 4-day week positions across different categories from well-known companies.