A desire to control costs and cut employees' commuting expenses has prompted some New Hampshire towns and other institutions to try out compressed work weeks, letting workers put in longer hours over four days in return for the fifth day off.

But for most private companies, the idea of a compressed work week is still being kicked around the stoop.

"There are obviously some sort of logistical issues that you need to work through to make sure you don't hamper the production of what's being produced, or increase the cost of doing business," said David Juvet, senior vice president of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire.

The possibility of making a four-day work week work, Juvet said, would depend on the field. It could be done in the manufacturing sector, provided schedules and shifts could be accommodated, but might prove more difficult in fields such as retail.

"You can't just shut down that fifth day. There are some challenges," Juvet said.

But more attention has been paid to the idea recently, according to Juvet.

The push to a four-day work week is part of a larger trend in the workplace that has seen employers become more open to unconventional working hours -- such as starting work at 7 a.m. and leaving in early afternoon -- and working away from the office, according to Robin Comstock, president of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Fuel costs have bolstered this trend, Comstock said, but employers also see such practices as a way to boost workers' productivity and their qualities of life.

"It's not just money," Comstock said. "To a large extent, it's driven by family and personal interests, too."

Nationally, among the firms thinking about a four-day work week is automaker Chrysler LLC, which sees the move as an effective way to cut costs. The Associated Press said Chrysler will soon talk with union officials about changing hours at 12 of its production plants.

Three of New Hampshire's gubernatorial candidates -- Gov. John Lynch and Democratic challenger Katy Forry, along with Republican state Sen. Joseph Kenney -- have said they would consider authorizing a four-day work week for most state workers, according to the wire service.

And on June 23, Dartmouth College in Hanover kicked off a two-month pilot program in its admissions department to see if a compressed work week makes sense. The program was put in place after employees made a presentation to the dean of admissions lobbying for it, according to the college.

Employees work in shifts, working Monday through Thursday one week and Tuesday through Friday the next, giving them a four-day weekend every two weeks. With two teams of employees on alternating schedules, the office remains fully staffed.

"With the high price of gas, people were looking for ways to save on commuting costs," said Genevieve Haas, a spokesman for Dartmouth College.

The plan will be reviewed after its two-month tryout, according to Haas.

Cost containment on the employer's side is another reason the four-day work week is being considered. That's why the town of Chesterfield put a four-day work week in place last month.

"I was thinking about saving energy. That was my number one concern," said Chesterfield town administrator Rick Carrier. "It would sort of make common sense if it saves money."

The idea, Carrier said, is to save money on heating and cooling costs. A shorter work week means heating or cooling the town offices just four days a week instead of five.

Since Chesterfield moved its offices in June, Carrier said, a direct cost comparison to the town's old work schedule can't be made. But the public hasn't complained one bit, and his small group of employees are happier, Carrier said.

Although the idea of not having to commute to work one day a week might sound like a godsend, it may not prove the money-saving boon to employees one might think.

"If they tend to start running around doing errands, they might get their errands done, but they might not save on gas costs," Juvet said.

As for employees hoping their bosses will consider an even shorter work week -- well, that's probably not in the cards.

"I'm not going to a three-day work week," said Carrier cheerfully. "That's a little extreme in my book."