Shawano County changes to temporary hours

The Shawano County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted June 22 in favor of approving a temporary work rule regarding the hours of operation for county employees and services.

The normal hours for most of the Shawano County department offices have been 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The new hours are 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Friday.

County Board Chairman Tom Kautza said the county is experimenting with the hours as a “test run.”

“If it doesn’t work out, we will go back to our normal hours,” Kautza said. “If it does work out and everyone is happy, then we leave it.”

Other municipalities have passed similar changes in operating hours, he said.

“This is another way to try and make things a little bit better for our current employees, because I think we have a 20% turnover rate,” Kautza said.

Shawano County Administrative Coordinator Jim Davel said the change could add some flexibility for county employees.

“I talked to the city and these are the same hours that the city runs,” said Davel. “It has been very well received from their employees … We need to have flexibility with things other than just pay,” said Davel.

Kautza added that these employees who work from home would also adhere to these hours.

“We are looking at trying more things like this,” said Kautza. “When you think about that turnover ratio, that is one in five people. So, we have to go with being flexible with people working from home too.”

Davel said appointments will be available for people coming to courthouse for marriage certificates later on Friday, for example for a marriage certificate. Certain essential services will still be provided on a 24-hour basis.

“I am thinking that this will work out,” added Kautza.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com