Suquamish Tribal Government tests compressed workweek
Beginning July 12, the Suquamish Tribe will launch a five-month pilot program testing a 32-hour workweek for most tribal government staff.
The initiative, approved by Tribal Council on June 8, will run through the end of this year. During the pilot, most tribal government departments will operate on a four-day schedule, Monday through Thursday, from 8am to 4:30pm.
“The Suquamish Tribe is not alone in exploring shifts to the workplace culture. Other Tribal Nations, governments, and organizations across the country have successfully adopted shorter workweeks,” reads an explainer on the Suquamish Tribe’s website. “By following in these footsteps, we are joining a growing movement to reimagine what a balanced and productive workplace can look like.”
Tribal leaders say the change is intended to:
- Ensure the Suquamish Tribe continues to deliver valuable and responsive services to tribal members and their families.
- Improve employee well-being and work-life balance.
- Boost team morale, focus, and productivity.
- Strengthen the workforce through recruitment and retention.
Tribal leaders emphasize that the primary goal is to maintain service levels while strengthening the workforce that delivers them.
Across dozens of programs and departments, tribal government staff provide services to support tribal members and households, as well as the greater community. Supporters of the pilot believe improving employee well-being will help ensure services remain strong and responsive.
Research and experience from organizations that have adopted compressed workweeks suggest that employees are more focused, energized, and productive during the workdays.
Like many employers, the Suquamish Tribe faces competition for skilled workers. Offering a 32-hour workweek while maintaining full pay and benefits creates a unique employment benefit that may help attract talented candidates and encourage experienced employees to remain with the organization.
Tribal officials also anticipate the program will be cost-neutral. While employees will work fewer hours, the test hopes to show that long-term savings will come through reduced turnover, lower recruitment costs, improved employee wellness, and greater workplace efficiency.
Approximately 75 percent of tribal government departments will follow the standard Monday-through-Thursday schedule. In most cases, departments will not stagger employee schedules to provide Friday coverage. Exceptions will be made where essential services or specific operational needs require alternative arrangements.
The pilot applies only to the Suquamish Tribal Government. Port Madison Enterprises will continue operating under its existing business schedules and hours.
Throughout the five-month pilot, tribal leadership will monitor outcomes and gather feedback to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. The results will help determine whether a compressed workweek should become a permanent part of tribal government operations.
Community members with questions about the pilot program can contact CompressedWorkweek@suquamish.nsn.us. The inbox will be monitored throughout the transition to provide information and address concerns.
