SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – San Juan County says it’s seeing promising returns following the first year of implementing a 32-hour work week.

The county recently released its one-year check-in report after beginning the pilot project in October 2023 for unionized county employees.

It came in response to budget problems the county was facing due to inflation, rising wages and high turnover among a shrinking workforce. According to the report, the county has saved nearly $1 million since adopting the new schedule and its turnover rate has dropped 43%.

San Juan County Manager Jessica Hudson told My Bellingham Now that the improvements they have seen go well beyond finances and numbers.

“Across the board, we have seen an increase in self-reported satisfaction with [county employees’] work-life balance,” Hudson said. “And that is even inclusive of our non-represented staff, who may not be able to use the 32-hour work week.”

84% of county employees are reporting that their work-life balance has improved as a result of the new work week.

The report also notes that the county is filling positions nearly 24% faster and has seen an 83% increase in job applications from locals.

The county says it has experienced trouble with adjusting to different schedules between its departments but could explore the possibility of creating one universal schedule.

The pilot project will run through the end of 2025 before the county decides whether to keep it in place.