For over eighty years, the standard workweek in the United States has been 40 hours. However, a new proposal by some members of Congress aims to grant hourly workers an additional day off.
Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont known for his far-left stance, has introduced a bill this week. His proposal seeks to reduce the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours for many American workers, ensuring they receive overtime pay beyond these hours.
Sanders argues that, with the advancements in automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence, U.S. companies are well-positioned to offer more time off to their employees without reducing their salaries and benefits.
However, there are concerns that a mandated shorter workweek could compel companies to either hire more staff or face a drop in productivity.
The essence of Sanders’ bill, introduced in the Senate, is to cut down the workweek to 32 hours while preventing employers from slashing their workers’ pay and benefits due to reduced hours. This change means that individuals who typically work from Monday to Friday could enjoy an additional day for their weekend. Moreover, workers eligible for overtime would benefit from extra pay if they work more than 32 hours a week.
Sanders has proposed a gradual implementation of this reduction over four years. He discussed the proposal in a hearing held by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which he chairs.
A study involving British companies that shifted to a 32-hour workweek found that employees were less stressed and more focused, with no negative impact on company revenues.
In 2022, a research initiative led by university scholars and the nonprofit 4 Day Week Global saw 61 companies reduce their work hours for six months without decreasing wages. The outcome was positive, with a significant reduction in employee burnout and an increase in job satisfaction. Additionally, a portion of these companies even reported a revenue growth exceeding 34%.
Juliet Shor, a sociology professor at Boston College and a leading researcher in the UK study, shared with Sanders’ Senate committee that the majority of employees experienced a boost in productivity during the trial. They felt more energized, focused, and capable.
Yet, critics argue that a 32-hour workweek might not be feasible for industries requiring physical presence, such as manufacturing plants, where it could hinder production.
Roger King of the HR Policy Association, representing corporate human resource officers, expressed skepticism about the practicality of such a change across various industries.
Despite the opposition from Republicans and possibly some Democrats, Sanders’ proposal faces a challenging path in the Senate. A similar bill by Democratic Representative Mark Takano of California is also unlikely to pass in the GOP-controlled House.
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana highlighted concerns that paying workers the same for fewer hours would increase costs for employers, potentially harming small businesses already struggling to find enough workers.
Sanders, leveraging his position as the committee’s chairman, aims to hold large corporations accountable to their workers. He advocates for the benefits of technological advancements to extend to the workforce, including the possibility of a reduced workweek.
The Fair Labor Standards Act, established in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, set the foundation for workplace protections, including a limit on working hours. This law was the culmination of labor union efforts spanning a century to advocate for the rights of overworked individuals in the U.S.
Labor historian Tejasvi Nagaraja from Cornell University’s School of Industry and Labor Relations emphasized the historical significance of time over money for labor unions and advocates.
The movement for shorter workdays began in the 1830s with coal miners and textile workers, gaining momentum after the Civil War as the U.S. reevaluated workers’ rights. The slogan “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what you will” became a rallying cry for unions.
The federal government and private industry gradually adopted reforms to limit working hours. President Ulysses S. Grant instituted an eight-hour workday for government employees in 1869, and Congress followed suit for railroad workers in 1916.
Henry Ford, ahead of his time, implemented a 40-hour workweek for his automobile assembly workers in 1926, advocating for the value of leisure time for workers.