Senator Bernie Sanders is set to introduce a groundbreaking legislation that aims to revolutionize the working hours of millions of hardworking Americans.
In a press release on Wednesday, Senator Sanders, an independent representative from Vermont, declared his intention to introduce a bill that would make the 32-hour workweek the standard in the United States. Sanders emphasized that workers would not experience a loss in pay as a result. He believes that this reduction in working hours is crucial to ensure that technological advancements, like automation and artificial intelligence, are beneficial to the working class and not just to corporate CEOs and wealthy stockholders on Wall Street.
According to a press release, Sanders emphasized the need for change as American workers have become over 400 percent more productive since the 1940s. Despite this, many Americans find themselves working longer hours for lower wages compared to previous decades.
According to the author, transitioning to a 32-hour workweek would be a significant move towards ensuring that employees are able to reap the rewards of the remarkable surge in productivity that was achieved in 2023, largely attributed to the advancements in technology.
California Democrat Senator Laphonza Butler will be partnering with Sanders to introduce the bill in the Senate. Similarly, Representative Mark Takano, a California Democrat, will be introducing the bill in the House of Representatives.
“It’s about time we prioritize reducing stress and improving the quality of life for Americans. Let’s introduce a 32-hour workweek without any decrease in pay,” stated Sanders.
The level of support among Democrats in the Senate for Sanders’ bill remains uncertain, considering the potential obstacles it could face in the Republican-controlled House.
On Wednesday, Newsweek sent an email to Sanders’ office, seeking comment.
In recent years, there has been a growing support for four-day workweeks in the U.S. as workers advocate for greater flexibility in their jobs.
According to a poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies on behalf of Newsweek in March 2023, a staggering 71 percent of Americans are in favor of implementing a four-day workweek. Surprisingly, only 4 percent of the respondents expressed opposition to this idea. The survey, which was conducted on March 7 and March 8 of the previous year, involved a sample size of 1,500 adults.
The UAW union advocated for a 32-hour workweek during negotiations, aiming to improve the work-life balance for its members.
During the latest round of union negotiations, the proposal ultimately failed to gain traction. However, it ignited conversations about the possibility of transitioning to shorter work hours.
In December, UAW President Shawn Fain expressed his belief to CNN that achieving a shorter workweek is a feasible objective.
A report released in September 2023 by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans revealed that approximately 5 percent of employers in the United States currently provide their employees with a four-day workweek. Moreover, an additional 14 percent of employers are actively considering implementing this policy.
Employers who chose not to offer a four-day workweek provided different reasons for their decision. Some cited challenges in implementing it for their entire workforce, concerns about potential negative effects on business operations, and doubts about their ability to adequately serve their customer base with reduced hours.
Lawmakers in Massachusetts have recently shown interest in examining the potential benefits of implementing a shorter workweek. In an effort to explore this concept, they introduced a pilot program known as Massachusetts Smart Week. Under this initiative, businesses that transition to a four-day workweek would be eligible for tax incentives. The program also encourages participating businesses to share their experiences and findings, which will subsequently be analyzed by experts in the field. This proactive approach reflects the state’s commitment to exploring innovative solutions for improving work-life balance and enhancing productivity.
