Senator Bernie Sanders Proposes Legislation To Cut US Workweek To 32 Hours With No Pay Reduction

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Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced legislation to reduce the standard workweek in the United States from 40 hours to 32, without cutting pay, citing Americans' longer hours and stagnant wages despite technological advancements. The proposal, if passed, would phase in the reduced workweek over four years and lower the threshold for overtime pay eligibility. While facing opposition from some lawmakers concerned about its economic impact, supporters argue it could improve work-life balance and productivity, aligning with evolving work culture shifts spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Senator Bernie Sanders has put forth a bold proposal this week, introducing legislation aimed at slashing the standard workweek in the United States from 40 hours to 32, all without a corresponding decrease in pay. Sanders argues that despite technological advancements and increased productivity, Americans are toiling longer hours for diminishing wages.

If enacted, the law would gradually implement the reduction in working hours over a four-year period, concurrently lowering the threshold for overtime pay eligibility. Since its establishment in federal law in 1940, the 40-hour workweek has remained the norm in the United States.

During a hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on Thursday, Senator Sanders, an independent from Vermont, emphasized that the benefits of heightened productivity have disproportionately accrued to corporate executives rather than workers. He lamented that Americans work longer hours than their counterparts in other affluent nations, citing data showing significantly longer workweeks in the U.S. compared to countries like Japan, Britain, and Germany.

The proposal however, has encountered resistance from some quarters. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, voiced concerns during the hearing, warning that such a reduction could adversely impact employers, potentially leading to job outsourcing and inflationary pressures.

Sanders' initiative isn't novel, as similar ideas have been floated in the past by figures like Richard Nixon and experimented with by various companies. Yet, the concept has gained traction in recent years, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted a reevaluation of work norms and expectations.

The legislation draws support from Representative Mark Takano, a Democrat from California, who introduced a companion bill in the House. Sanders cited a British trial involving 61 companies in 2022, which revealed that most firms maintaining a four-day workweek observed stable revenues and productivity alongside reduced attrition rates.

While proponents tout the potential benefits of shorter workweeks, critics argue that such initiatives may not be universally applicable, particularly in sectors with hands-on work requirements. Nevertheless, Sanders remains steadfast in his push for a shorter workweek, asserting that it's time for the gains of technological advancements to benefit the working class.

The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Senators Laphonza Butler of California and Mark Takano of California, aims to afford Americans more leisure time without compromising their wages. Despite skepticism from some quarters, supporters herald it as a transformative step towards a more equitable work-life balance and economic landscape.