Most city employees in Farmers Branch will now have a three-day weekend after the city recently launched a four-day workweek schedule as a way to attract workers.
The city’s shortened workweek was tested in a few departments earlier this year before becoming official Monday. Several city workers said they welcome the change, and managers said they have seen higher levels of productivity during the four-day week.
The city implemented this new schedule in part to promote better work-life balance for its workers and improve efficiency, said Mayor Terry Lynne, who was elected to lead the suburb in May after serving on City Council for six years.
Lynne said many people have changed their work schedules since the pandemic, which prompted the city to reflect on how to better retain workers and attract new talent.
“Just like any other business, the city needed to make sure that we were being cognizant of what our employees wanted,” he said. “I think most people want a good work environment, but they also want to be able to spend more time with their families.”
Employees now work 10-hour shifts four days a week, with an earlier start time and shorter lunch break. The city now operates from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To ensure the same amount of service to residents, employees’ schedules are staggered, with some working Monday through Thursday and others Tuesday through Friday, Lynne said.
The public works department was one of the first to test the program in February. Since then, it’s been easier to recruit and retain employees, director Ryan Sartor said.
“Morale has been a whole lot better, and it’s helped keep people and help recruit people,” he said.
So far, residents haven’t reported any complaints in service since the department transitioned to a new schedule.
Sartor, who lives in Roanoke, added that he likes the earlier schedule as it helps with his morning commute — leaving home at 7 a.m. rather than 7:30 a.m. makes his drive a lot smoother.
“When we spend less time in traffic, you can have a better mood,” he said.
Parks department employee Lynette Hill said the new schedule has helped her mental well-being, and an extra day off allows her to more fully reset and refresh before the new week.
“It kind of motivates you to get things done in those four days, so I can have that day off just for me,” Hill said, adding that she looks forward to spending more time with her family.
The schedule modification also allows City Hall to be open a little longer than usual, letting residents attend to business later in the day if necessary. City Hall previously closed an hour earlier, at 5 p.m.
Farmers Branch isn’t the only city in North Texas to adopt a shortened workweek. Rowlett and Keller have also shifted to a four-day week in recent years.
“I believe it’s gonna make us better off as a city,” Sartor said. “We’re having to compete with other markets for retention, and this is just gonna give us a leg up in that market.”
Lynne said he doesn’t see any concerns with the new schedule so far and hopes the city is able to maintain this schedule.
“I think it’s sustainable, but time will tell and we haven’t done it long enough yet,” he said. “All indicators point towards this continuing and will be the norm in Farmers Branch.”
