County considers reducing employee hours

St. Joseph County officials might consider a plan that would cut the weekly hours of some full-time employees from 40 to 35.

County administrator Teresa Doehring raised the proposal during the county board’s executive committee meeting Wednesday. Doehring said the concept is in its infancy and, for now, remains nothing more than a potential option to help the county’s financial state.

Following input from commissioners, Doehring was urged to continue looking into the idea, which would impact hourly, not salaried, employees.

Doehring said most of the county’s full-time, hourly employees currently work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and have a one-hour lunch.

She said the idea of a seven-hour workday is a concept other county administrators have employed, while others have considered the option but declined to incorporate it.