Rep. Garfield offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 411.

            A resolution to encourage Michigan's businesses and state agencies to adopt a compressed 4-day work week whenever possible.

            Whereas, Ever-escalating energy costs are causing all families, institutions, and businesses to reevaluate their activities in an effort to find workable strategies to reduce costs while attending to their needs. While there are clearly many areas where absorbing the higher costs is the only option, there are steps that can be taken to bring about immediate and meaningful relief. A measure that holds great potential is moving to a 4-day work week, with 10-hour days whenever possible; and

            Whereas, Moving from the standard 5-day, 8-hour per day work week that has been commonplace since at least the 1930s is a step that is drawing more attention in both private and public work places. While doing so clearly depends of the type of enterprise involved, there are many offices, factories, and situations that would be wise to investigate this move; and

            Whereas, There are several ways in which a 4-day work week can benefit businesses, individuals workers, and society. The benefits include not only an immediate reduction of 20 percent of commuting costs, but also the positive impact that many less miles driven would have on traffic congestion and safety, wear and tear on our roads, and vehicle emissions. For workers, economic savings would only be part of the advantages. More time with the family and the potential of commuting at a less crowded time of the morning or evening could make this a most appealing idea; and

            Whereas, Businesses could realize additional savings through the lower overhead a 4-day work week would entail. There are also studies and surveys that indicate that worker absenteeism could decline and that worker retention could also rise; and

            Whereas, The 4-day compressed work week would also be viable for many state agencies and offices. It would be most appropriate for state government to set an example and take the lead on such a move in our state; and

            Whereas, With national figures showing that 80 percent of workers travel to work via a car that holds a single person, the positive ramifications of going to a 4-day work week would also include a notable decrease in overall oil consumption for the country. Clearly, this concept is one every business and state agency should consider seriously; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we encourage Michigan's businesses and state agencies to adopt a compressed 4-day work week whenever possible; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Manufacturers Association, the Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and the Department of Management and Budget.