Huntsman was to announce the change Thursday during his monthly news conference at KUED.

The details of the governor's proposal have not been released, but the discussion has involved having various state offices open from

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. four days a week, with employees working an early or late shift.

The first agencies could start adopting the revised work schedule in mid-July, but agencies will be given flexibility to phase in the change, depending on the role the agency serves. Critical areas like corrections would not scale back operations. And Utah's state liquor store system, already closed Sundays, is not expected to close another day.

Many issues surrounding the proposal remain unresolved.

"We respect what the governor is trying to do regarding energy concerns, but we have a lot of questions that would arise from redefining the workweek down to four days," said Audry Wood, executive director of the Utah Public Employees Association.

"When you think what the employees will have to do to accommodate the details of this concept, it's significant," she said, noting concerns about things like child care, commuters who rely on public transportation, or work second jobs.

Around the country, states and local governments have been experimenting with a four-day workweek to help alleviate commuting expenses, especially with gas costing more than $4 per gallon. The federal government also offers flexible scheduling to qualifying employees.

Wood said the public employees her union represents are starkly divided over the proposed change.

"There just doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground on this. Employees either love it, or they hate it," she said.