The global need to reduce emissions and save energy may spell the end for the nine-to-five working week.

The American state of Utah became the first to institute a mandatory four-day work week last summer for public employees. Instead of the usual 9 - 5, state employees worked ten-hour days and had Fridays off. A year later 82 percent of employees gave the new schedule rave reviews, while the state itself enjoyed 13 % savings on energy spending.

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Earth Beat spoke to Brigham Young professor Rex Facer, whose trial in a Utah town led to the state-wide switch. Listen to the interview and tell us your thoughts. Would you work longer hours in exchange for free Fridays? The environment would be much obliged. Tell us your thoughts.

Well if you insist on working a normal 9 to 5, there are other ways to save energy. Earth Beat explores the growing phenomenon of the satellite offices: companies setting up smaller offices around the country to spare employees the commute to the traditional large, central office. A trial run by Cisco was a success, and South Korea has a plan to develop 500 offices nation-wide. Say good-bye to traffic jams!

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