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Development Services to begin four-day work week
To better meet the needs of the construction industry, the City of Hastings Development Services Department will go to a four-day work week beginning Monday, June 3.
“During the spring, summer, and fall, our partners in construction usually work between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. or longer,” Development Services Director Chad Bunger said. “We are making this change in our scheduling to be more responsive for building inspections to keep construction projects moving forward. This will also allow us to be available to residents or business owners who may have questions about a permit or construction project that may not be able to contact us during a typical 8-5 business day. We pride ourselves on providing quality customer service to our contractors and neighbors. This is one more way we can help to make building in Hastings more effective and efficient.”
Development Services employees’ schedules will be staggered throughout the week, so staff will be available to address questions and issues every day, Monday through Friday. The department will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At this time, the City of Hastings is not planning to implement a four-day work week for other departments. Because extended hours matches needs from the construction industry, this new schedule works well for the Development Services Department.
Bunger said he hopes builders and community members will see this as an added service that Development Services is providing to help construction projects run smoother, quicker, and safer.
“By extending our work hours, we can get on the construction site earlier or later in the day to inspect the building process,” he said. “This in turn should help the builders complete their project on schedule. I also hope that our community members will see this as improved service by being able to contact Development Services before or after the typical 8-5 business day to ask questions about construction projects and permits.”
This is seen as a pilot program and will be in effect through Nov. 1.
“If the need is there and we are successful in the effort, we plan to do this in the following years,” Bunger said.
One way this will be measured for success is in call and inspection volumes during the extended hours.
“If we have contractors and community members contacting us for questions during the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., we will know there is a need and can call this a success,” Bunger said. “We will also gauge the success of this effort through the feedback receive from our builders and our clients. We hope to get good feedback from our partners that we are working to provide a service that meets their needs.”
Published Date: 05/30/2024