OCCU expands 32-hour workweek, deepening investment in employees and local communities

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OCCU expands 32-hour workweek, deepening investment in employees and local communities 

OCCU is investing in nearly 700 employees with competitive pay, remote work, strong benefits and a path toward a four-day, 32-hour workweek at full-time pay by the end of 2027. 

EUGENE, Ore. — OCCU | Oregon Community Credit Union is expanding its 32-hour workweek this fall, advancing its Road to 32 initiative and a broader commitment to invest in the people who serve its members and communities.   

By the end of 2027, OCCU plans to transition most of its nearly 700 employees to a four-day, 32-hour workweek while maintaining full wages and benefits.* The credit union is not closing services for an extra day, changing business hours, or relying on staffing increases to make the model work. Instead, teams align staffing and coverage with member demand before transitioning. 

 The majority of OCCU employees live in the communities the credit union serves. They are neighbors, family members and community members who contribute directly to local economies. For OCCU, investing in employees is an investment in the communities it calls home and in the long-term experience of the members it serves.   

“Investing in our employees is an investment in OCCU’s future,” said Greg Schumacher, OCCU president and CEO. “We have long supported the health of our employees and the communities we serve, and we believe a healthy work-life balance is a key part of that commitment. We want OCCU to be a place where talented people can build meaningful careers, do exceptional work and still have the time and flexibility to live full lives outside of work, all while maintaining an outstanding experience for our members. That’s good for our employees, our members and our communities.” 

The 32-hour workweek is one of the most visible pieces of a broader workforce transformation underway at OCCU. At the heart of the strategy is the belief that organizational success should be measured by outcomes, member service and impact rather than the hours spent at a desk. 

OCCU’s 32-hour workweek model follows a 100-80-100 approach: 100% of the work, performed in 80% of the time for 100% of the pay. The goal is to work differently, not simply faster. Teams redesign how work gets done by eliminating unnecessary work, streamlining processes and using technology more effectively. Teams transition to a 32-hour workweek only after demonstrating through measurable outcomes that they can maintain or improve member experience, service, productivity and business results.   

OCCU first introduced the 32-hour workweek in its call center in 2023 to test whether a shorter workweek could better support employees while maintaining the high standards of service members expect.   

Since the transition, OCCU has seen meaningful improvements in call center workforce stability. The average number of employees absent without advance notice each day has fallen from 5 to 1.6. Average employee tenure has grown from nine months before the transition to 3.1 years today.   

Members are seeing the impact as well. Call center measures including abandoned calls, wait times, transfers and first-call resolution have improved, helping members reach OCCU faster, spend less time navigating the process, and get the help they need more easily. Together, these improvements create a more responsive, supportive experience when members need it most.   

For employees, the value extends beyond the workplace. A consistent additional day away from work creates more opportunities to disconnect, recharge, spend time with family and friends, focus on personal well-being, and be more present in the communities they call home.   

OCCU is taking a phased, data-informed approach to expanding the model. Participating teams redesign schedules and workflows around member demand, making better use of OCCU’s trained, experienced team members so employees are fully focused and engaged when they are working.    

By the end of 2026, 15 teams and 188 employees across OCCU will operate on a 32-hour workweek. Participating teams represent a broad cross-section of the organization, including business intelligence, consumer underwriting, video tellers and card services.   

The expansion also includes OCCU’s first branch pilot in Roseburg, Oregon, which adopted the 32-hour workweek on Oct. 1. The Roseburg pilot gives OCCU an opportunity to test the model in a traditional branch environment with normal member volume, full member service expectations, and no change to branch hours. The team continues to track service levels, wait times, appointment availability, coverage, and process improvements to help guide future branch transitions.   

Beyond the 32-hour workweek, OCCU’s broader workforce transformation includes flexible and remote work, investments in technology and employee development, and a continued focus on attracting and retaining talented people. The credit union is also rethinking how and where it works, including plans to relocate its corporate headquarters.   

The approach reflects a leadership philosophy Schumacher introduced when he became CEO earlier this year: Rethink how we work and let the results guide us. In practice, that means testing new ideas and expanding only what proves successful across the organization.   

“We’ll continue to challenge conventional thinking when we believe there’s a better way to serve our members and support our employees,” Schumacher said. “Our goal is to build a workplace where people can thrive, members receive exceptional service, and OCCU remains strong for the communities we serve.”    

*Note: The 32-hour workweek transition does not apply to executive team members. 

About OCCU 

OCCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $3.5 billion in assets. The credit union was founded in Eugene, Oregon, in 1956 and remains headquartered there. OCCU has an expanding network of branches and digital banking tools to provide its more than 300,000 member-owners with a full suite of financial products and services. Learn more at MyOCCU.org.  

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CONTACT: Kelsay Rychener 

Communications and Public Relations Manager 

541.334.8428 

krychener@myoccu.org 

Learn more: Workforce transformation: About OCCU's 32-hour workweek | OCCU