4 Rivers Electric Cooperative is moving to a 4-10 workweek for the 2023 summer/fall starting on Monday, May 15. As businesses evolve and adapt to new challenges, electric utilities are faced with their own set of unique circumstances. In recent years, one trend gaining popularity in various industries is the implementation of a four-day workweek with employees working 10-hour shifts each day. While this work schedule is not ideal for every business, a 4-10 workweek can be a valuable change for 4 Rivers Electric.

We require a 24/7 operational capacity, demanding swift responses to service issues, station failures, electrical outages and other problems. This change will not change our responses to outages or other situations with electric service to our members.

The 4-10 workweek will allow us to be more efficient with construction projects, with less ‘windshield time’ for the week and more time allowed on the projects. We anticipate savings with this on the total costs of those projects and reduced fuel consumption for the summer.

Other benefits for employees include reduced daycare costs, increased time for personal errands and health appointments, as well as additional time for rest and relaxation. This is accomplished without additional costs to the cooperative.

With this change, office hours at BETO Junction and Fredonia are Monday-Thursday from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Our Emporia office is maintaining its current operating hours Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 p.m. (closed 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.). Phone calls will be answered on Fridays, just like they are at night and on weekends, with prompt response to outages and other electrical emergencies. As always, members can make payments over the phone with our automated IVR system, by logging in to their account online or by using the SmartHub app.

Please contact us at 620-364-2116 if you have any questions or concerns.

Dennis Svanes, General Manager/CEO