STATE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY USE OF NON-TRADITIONAL WORK SCHEDULES

This article summarizes the responses from 40 states to questionnaire survey by a committee of the Transportation Research Board. The majority of state transportation agencies has instituted nontraditional work patterns for their employees. These programs were instituted primarily for reasons other than productivity in order to reduce the employees' travel time to work and to improve the scheduling of work where setup, cleanup, and travel to work sites were major elements. Employees generally like these alternative work patterns, but management has found some difficulties with their use related to the supervision of employees. Few states, however, have conducted studies on effects on productivity. Florida has done a comprehensive study that is available on request. Finally, nontraditional work patterns are used more during the summer than year-round.