Bernie Sanders, the independent Vermont Senator and self-described democratic socialist, has unveiled a plan to create a 32-hour workweek with no loss of pay. Sanders, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), believes that his proposal is not radical and would lead to a better quality of life for millions of Americans.
In a press release, Sanders stated, “Moving to a 32-hour workweek with no loss of pay is not a radical idea. Today, American workers are over 400 percent more productive than they were in the 1940s. And yet, millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages than they were decades ago. That has got to change.”
Sanders’ bill, titled the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, aims to reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours over four years by lowering the threshold for overtime pay for non-exempt employees. The legislation would require overtime compensation at time and a half for workdays longer than eight hours, and double a worker’s regular pay for workdays longer than 12 hours. Additionally, the bill contains provisions to protect workers’ pay and benefits to ensure that the shorter workweek does not result in reduced income.
Supporters of a four-day workweek argue that several European countries have already successfully reduced work hours and seen benefits. For example, France has a 35-hour workweek, and there is a movement there to reduce it to 32 hours. Norway and Denmark each have a 37-hour workweek.
A nonprofit group called 4 Day Week Global, which supports Sanders’ legislation, conducted a study last year in which several companies participated in a pilot program to test a four-day workweek over six months. The results of the pilot program showed that most participating companies experienced an increase in revenue and productivity and have decided to continue with the four-day workweek.
However, critics have raised concerns about the costs and practicality of implementing a four-day workweek for all companies. Mary Elizabeth Elkordy, founder of the remote-based company Elkordy Global Strategies, explained that while a four-day workweek could work well for businesses with long or unconventional hours, service-based industries where pay is directly tied to a person’s time and output may face challenges in adopting such a model.
Sanders, on the other hand, believes that recent technological advancements, including productivity gains led by artificial intelligence, have made it possible to reduce work hours for millions of Americans. He stated, “The financial gains from the major advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, and new technology must benefit the working class, not just corporate CEOs and wealthy stockholders on Wall Street. It is time to reduce the stress level in our country and allow Americans to enjoy a better quality of life. It is time for a 32-hour workweek with no loss in pay.”
While the proposal for a shorter workweek has gained traction among lawmakers, business leaders, and academics, the debate over its feasibility and potential implications for employers continues. As Sanders’ legislation makes its way through the legislative process, its ultimate fate remains uncertain.
