California finds itself at the forefront of a significant conversation around work-life balance with the introduction of the 32-Hour Workweek Act in Congress. Spearheaded by Senator Bernie Sanders and backed by California’s own Senator Laphonza Butler and Representative Mark Takano, this bill aims to redefine the standard full-time workweek from 40 to 32 hours without reducing workers’ pay.
The current 40-hour standard was established by the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and has since become a staple of U.S. work culture, specifically to define full-time employment.
Representative Mark Takano of California initially set the bill’s wheels in motion by introducing the 32-Hour Work Week Act in the House of Representatives in March 2023. Last week, Senator Sanders introduced legislation to the U.S. Senate. The push for the 32-hour workweek seeks to address the widening gap between executive profit and average worker wages, emphasizing the bill’s aim to advocate for more personal time and economic equity.
“While CEOs’ wages continue to increase, our workers are finding themselves doing more, yet earning less than they have in decades,” said Senator Butler. “The Thirty-Two-Hour Workweek Act would allow hardworking Americans to spend more time with their families while protecting their wages and making sure profits aren’t only going to a select few.”
The recent push for a 32-hour workweek is driven by the belief that advancements in technology and work productivity would make it possible to achieve the same output with fewer hours. This bill would not impose restrictions on the maximum hours an employee can work within a standard week—Instead, it alters the federal definition of a workweek. Primarily, this bill would impact non-exempt, hourly employees.
Alongside the social and economic benefits, supporters believe that a shorter workweek could lead to happier, healthier employees who are more engaged and productive during work hours. However, critics argue it could lead to increased labor costs and hiring challenges. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana voiced his opposition with the bill, arguing that reducing the workweek to 32 hours with the same pay could put financial burdens on small businesses operating on thin margins.
Several regions, including the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and even parts of the United States have already trialed, or will trial, the 4-day work week. Recent findings by 4 Day Week Global revealed that the companies that trialed a 4-day workweek for six months would not be returning to a traditional five-day schedule, as companies reported improvements in productivity and work satisfaction.
As legislation continues its journey through Congress, its future remains uncertain. For Californians and the rest of the nation, this ongoing discussion marks a critical moment in the national conversation about the evolving future of work.