Initial reports from a four-day work week pilot project appear to be favorable, Effingham County commissioners have learned.

County staff presented commissioners with results from employee surveys on the four-day work week. County offices went to the four-day work week, with offices open from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

“So far, we haven’t had any problems,” County Administrator David Crawley said.

There were 187 surveys returned from county employees. Of those responses, 79 percent were in a favor of a four-day work week. Eighteen percent have at least ne child in day care but more than half of those said the work week will not affect their childcare decisions.

Seventy-three percent of the respondents said going to a four-day work week will help county residents. More than half, 51 percent, believed their workload will stay the same, and 32 percent said they believe their workload will increase.

The move to the four-day work week is designed to cut down on utilities costs. From the survey, 94 percent of the respondents turn off their office lights when they leave at the end of the day and 77 percent keep their office thermostats between 69 and 75 degrees. Twenty-one percent have their office thermostats set at 76 degrees.

County officials are monitoring fuel and utility costs during the pilot program, which is scheduled to run through Nov. 12.

There is also a survey on the four-day work week for residents on the county’s Web site, www.effinghamcounty.org. Surveys also are available at county offices.

A four-day work week has been in place for the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office administrative offices since June. That schedule does not affect operations at the jail or patrol deputies.

With the extra day off, 64 percent of the survey’s respondents said they will run errands and schedule appointments. Thirty-six percent said they will spend more time with family and friends.