Utah moves to four-day work week

SALT LAKE CITY, July 1 (UPI) -- Utah will become the first state to mandate a four-day work week for state employees, workforce experts said.

Gov. Jon Huntsman said the change will reduce the state's carbon footprint and save energy, USA Today reported.

Although some services will shut down on Fridays, the public has shown "very much a willingness" to give the concept a try, the governor said.

The ruling mandates a four-day work week for 17,000 employees, but exempts employees of the state's university system, the courts, prisons and other critical services, the newspaper reported.

Jacqueline Byers, director of research at the National Association of Counties, said the four-day option is growing in popularity.

"They're not able to give raises, so this is like a bonus, to cut off one day's commute," she said.