Four-Day Workweek and the Construction Industry
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 12, Issue 3
Abstract
Like other industries, engineers, contractors, and construction/project managers in the construction industry are continuously searching for means, methods, and materials that will give them an edge to be more efficient in terms of cost and/or time. Some of these tools come in the form of a new piece of equipment or breakthrough product with multiple uses. It is people, though, that are the key resource of the construction industry. Thus, construction workers can also be looked to for gaining an advantage. This can be done by setting up projects so that the workers can make better use of their time while on the job. One such example is implementing the four day, workweek in lieu of the traditional five days. This paper will explore the merits of utilizing such a system in the construction industry, outline some of its impacts on a project and the workers, present a multiattribute utility function for determining its effectiveness, and conclude with a recommendation on its use.
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Acknowledgments
This paper is partly based on the input and discussions of several coworkers and colleagues of the first writer within the construction industry, namely Al Vazquez (SpawGlass Contractors), Cary Hairston (SpawGlass Contractors), Jack Mulligan (SpawGlass Contractors), John Martin (Cappadonna Electric), Wayne Barnes (CBW Industries), Carlos Moreno (Marmon-Mok Architects), and Ted Dunham (Engineering Safety Consultants). Their support is greatly appreciated.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 12 • Issue 3 • August 2007
Pages: 140 - 145
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 13, 2004
Accepted: Aug 1, 2006
Published online: Aug 1, 2007
Published in print: Aug 2007
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