The concept of a 4-day workweek might shift from a utopian dream to reality in the near future as CA Representative Mark Takano reintroduces the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act. This new legislation would trim 40-hour workweeks to 32 hours and compensate workers for any overtime. With the concept gaining momentum around the globe, Takano believes it’s high time to relook the outdated Fair Labor Standards Act —which hasn’t been updated since 1940. While this may not shorten workweeks, it may improve pay, employee wellbeing and get more people into the job market.
“Workers across the nation are collectively reimagining their relationship to labor – and our laws need to follow suit,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “We have before us the opportunity to make common sense changes to work standards passed down from a different era. The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act would improve the quality of life of workers, meeting the demand for a more truncated workweek that allows room to live, play, and enjoy life more fully outside of work.”
Takano’s bill has already been endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the National Employment Law Project (NELP), and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW).
While the pandemic brought a tidal wave of catastrophes, it did give rise to flexible working hours and shattered the notion that working remotely reduced productivity. Businesses and governments around the world, including Ireland, Spain, Iceland, New Zealand, and Canada, have piloted 4-day workweek programs with highly positive results. Reports have shown up to a 40% increase in productivity, reduced sick days, lowered unemployment rates and workers have cited an improved sense of wellbeing. In some cases, studies have shown a correlating drop in environmental impact.
In the last two years, more countries and companies have been experimenting with shorter work weeks, even in countries with a notorious hustle-culture like Japan. Spearheading the revolution is the 4-Day Work Week Global. The non-profit organization works alongside think tank Autonomy and researchers at various institutions, including Cambridge University, Boston College, Oxford University. Funds raised through the foundation are channeled into research around workplace practices, the future of work and wellbeing. The data is collected and analyzed to design a healthier modern economic system for the modern world.
Pilot programs of the 4-Day Work Week have already been rolled out in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. This 6-month trial works as a coalition with companies and governments, where 8 hours of work are removed without any reduction in pay. During this trial period, organizations will have unparalleled access to the expertise, tools and resources to carry out the test. There’s training, mentoring, networking and researching involved in the process, all of which gets used to further improve practices.
You can find out more about the process here and employees can help the campaign gain momentum here.