Green Friday

1

• Green Friday
• Initiative
• GFOA Conference 2009

2
Background

• An idea proposed by the Employee Retention
  Recruitment Committee
• A different kind of alternative work schedule an
  innovative, thinking outside the box proposal
• 60 of employees were already working some form
  of alternative work schedule

3
Green Friday Concept

• Typically known as Dark Friday or Black Friday in
  some public and private sectors
• Practiced in North Las Vegas, some California
  cities
• City of Yuma has been closing every other Friday
  for the past three years
• City Hall closed on Friday in exchange for
  extended hours Monday through Thursday (7 a.m. to
  6 p.m.)

4
Green Friday Concept

• Committee came up with term Green Friday
  because of heavy focus on environmental
  stewardship
• Allows Avondale to conduct business in an
  environmentally friendly manner, while expanding
  customer service opportunities

5
Benefits of Green Friday

• Enhanced customer service longer City Hall
  hours Monday through Thursday
• Ensures that Avondale meets its trip reduction
  goal for City Hall
• Driving to work one less day personal cost
  savings, cuts down on associated trips (driving
  to the daycare) overall better for the
  environment
• Savings - janitorial services, electrical/water
  use at City Hall
• Reduce carbon footprint at City Hall

6
First Employee Survey

• Majority supported Green Friday concept
• Scheduling doctor/dental appointments on Friday
  minimizes time off during the week
• Employees save on commuting, child care, lunch,
  GAS!
• Allow for more family and personal time
• Good for morale could reduce sick leave
• Arguably more productive

7
Implementing Green Friday

• April 14, 2008 City Council gave green light for
  pilot program
• Planned launch June 2
• Four-month trial period
• Staff to present findings on Oct. 6

8
Implementing Green Friday

• Green Friday Committee to address issues such as
  holidays, payroll, customer service, impact to
  departments, water shut-offs

9
Considerations

• Doesnt work across the organization
• Departments will have to carefully review
  employees roles, develop specific policies
  regarding implementation
• Need to raise public awareness of new schedule
• Enhance technology to minimize impact of Friday
  closure (ie. online bill payments and class
  registration)
• Ongoing evaluation to ensure customer service
  delivery is not negatively impacted

10
Public Outreach/Marketing

• Surveyed the public
• Internal FAQs via email, Employee newsletter,
  department meetings
• All employees involved in the public information
  process

11
Public Outreach/Marketing

• Developed logo/brand
• Information for website FAQs, hotline numbers
• Press release issued May 6 subsequent interviews
  with TV, Radio and print
• Water bills, posters, Post-its, outgoing email,
  voice mail
• Staff volunteers to work the first couple of
  Fridays

12
Findings to Council

• Trip Reduction 200 vehicles off the road on
  Friday during peak hours
• Extended hours 550 customers served during 7-8
  a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
• Resident Satisfaction no major complaints 82
  surveyed said keep Green Friday schedule

13
Employee Survey

• 42 of workforce responded to survey
• 82 said keep Green Friday schedule 4 no
  opinion 6 summertime only
• 8 who said no cited issues with childcare,
  school, longer days.
• Mostly, employees felt more productive enjoy 3
  day weekend

14
Cost Savings

• Janitorial Services
• 4 day cleaning schedule provided a 787.00 per
  month savings
• Annual savings 9,444.00

15
Energy Savings -- Electrical

• City hall electric meter
• 5 day work schedule 93,800 kw per/mo
• 4 day work schedule 81,760 kw per/mo
• Average savings 12,040 kw per/mo
• Percentage reduction 13
• Average monthly savings 1,135.37
• Average annual savings 13,624.44

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Energy Savings

• Chiller Plant
• 5 day work schedule 125,120 kw per/mo
• 4 day work schedule 77,200 kw per/mo
• Average savings 47,920 kw per/mo
• Percentage reduction 38
• Average monthly savings 2,571.46
• Average annual savings 30,857.52

17
Holiday Pay -- Objectives

• Equalize allocation for each full-time regular
  employee to receive 88 hours per fiscal year.
• Identify ways to maximize the number of days that
  City offices are open to serve citizens.
• Increase flexibility for employees.
• Insure that adoption of Green Friday or other
  alternate schedules does not increase the cost of
  doing business.

18
Holiday Pay -- Proposal

• Each FT regular employee receives 88 hours to use
  between July 1-June 30.
• City holidays would be announced in June for the
  upcoming fiscal year.
• Holidays that fall on Friday, Saturday or Sunday
  for those working Green Friday schedule would be
  handled as floating holidays.

19

• A listing of premium holidays will be prepared in
  June of each year. On a premium holiday, any
  non-exempt employee will be paid 1 ½ times their
  normal rate for any hours worked. Premium
  holidays for 2008-09
• Independence Day Labor Day
• Veterans Day Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day New Years Day
• MLK Day Presidents Day
• Memorial Day already past for 08

20
Green Friday catching on

• Dozens of newspaper articles, TV interviews
  including USA TODAY, LA Times, Americas Cities
  Towns Magazine, S. Korean documentary
• Other cities and governments following suit
  Queen Creek, Buckeye, state of Utah, Birmingham,
  AL
• A nationwide trend

21
Questions?

www.avondale.org Pier Simeri psimeri_at_avondale.o
rg Dan Davis ddavis_at_avondale.org