Several Sampson County departments are now beginning to set up alternative schedules for employees, allowing them the freedom to work four 10-hour days and have a longer weekend during daylight saving time.

This change, approved by the Board of Commissioners in the 2009-10 budget, affects several departments, including Animal Control, Environmental Health, Inspections, the Department of Aging, Public Works and Parks and Recreation. The measure was put in place as a cost-saving exercise.

One sector to make the change has been Animal Control, and according to director Susan Holder, it is for the best.

“For Animal Control, this is particularly useful because we get animals out of traps as early as possible,” said Holder, meaning if the animal control officer works a 10-hour day, he can get to trapped animals earlier in the morning.

Holder elaborated, saying that it benefits the Animal Control officers attending basic law enforcement classes in that they now have more time to schedule training. However, at least two officers will work at a time, which also means the department is always covered.

Holder also pointed out that the animal shelter is still under a typical five-day schedule with all attendants continuing their normal work week.

Parks and Recreation is another county department switching to the four-day week, but parks director Ali Turpen said that it is only certain employees who will be able to take advantage of the change in schedule.

“This is something our maintenance department will be looking at,” said Turpen. Her district superintendents, she pointed out, rarely, if ever, work “traditional hours.”

“The district superintendents have to adjust their schedules for games, and they change from week to week,” said Turpen.

So far, Turpen added, everyone in those two areas have been OK with the thought of moving to an alternative schedule. But, she stressed, it does not work for all of her employees.

“This may not be conducive to other employees,” Turpen remarked.

And while she continues to feel her way through this new way of scheduling, she does say that Parks and Recreation will continue to be a five-day-a-week operation.

“We still have to have our office open five days a week,” said Turpen.

In another sector, the Department of Aging, only one employee, home repairs coordinator Steven Wilson, has been given the challenge of moving to a different work plan.

Director Lorie Sutton acknowledged that when she found out that the county could move to this schedule, she felt it might be a good fit for Wilson.

“It was good for him because a lot of days he is in the outermost point of the county,” said Sutton, explaining that Wilson will be able to travel to points in the county and stay longer rather than having to come back the next day.

“It saves on gas,” said Sutton.

However, while she was happy to allow Wilson to alter his work plan, other employees in her department will not get that advantage.

“It will not work for other (areas),” said Sutton, “It will not help us. We have to have a five-day-a-week office.”

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.