Senator Bernie Sanders is making waves in the United States with his proposal to reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32, without a reduction in pay. In a hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Mr. Sanders argued that Americans are working longer hours for less pay, despite advances in technology and productivity.
If passed, the legislation would gradually transition to a 32-hour workweek over a four-year period, lowering the threshold for overtime pay eligibility. The 40-hour workweek has been the standard in the U.S. since it was established in federal law in 1940.
While some, like Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, argue that such a reduction would harm employers and lead to job outsourcing and price increases, others see potential benefits. Representative Mark Takano of California introduced a similar bill in the House in 2021, and has now reintroduced it as a companion to Mr. Sanders’ Senate bill.
The concept of a shorter workweek has gained traction in recent years, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on work culture. A trial conducted by 61 companies in Britain in 2022 showed promising results, with most companies maintaining steady revenues and productivity while reducing attrition after switching to a four-day workweek.
Economist Juliet Schor, who led the research on the British trial, testified that 91 percent of companies stuck with the new schedule a year later, with participants describing it as “life-changing.”
However, critics argue that the focus on companies with the flexibility to implement a shorter workweek may not be applicable to all sectors. Statistics professor Liberty Vittert of Washington University in St. Louis cautioned against a nationwide mandate for a 32-hour workweek, suggesting that what works for some companies may not work for all.
As the debate over the proposed legislation continues, it remains to be seen whether the U.S. will follow in the footsteps of other countries and companies that have successfully implemented a shorter workweek.
