How'd You Like A Mandatory Four-Day Work Week?

Since July 4th falls on a Friday this year, we all get a nice, long, three-day weekend. But for employees of the state of Utah, every week is about to feel this short.

Utah has become the first state to implement a mandatory four-day work week for state employees - some 17,000 people. Call it a perfect storm of budget crunches, high gas prices, energy conservation initiatives and increased demand for flexible work schedules.

Utah's governor says his action will save money, make the state 20% more energy efficient and help with hiring. In particular, he says the four-day work week is popular among younger employees. He's right. I see my peers searching for not just a different work-life balance, but a different lifestyle all together. And it's not just people with kids. It's my generation as a whole. We just don't want the same grind.

So Utah may be the first, but it won't be the last. I predict that in a decade, half of all workers will be celebrating their independence from either commuting or a traditional work schedule.

Happy July 4th, everyone!