Bernie Sanders Introduces Bill to Reduce US Workweek to 32 Hours
A proposal to reduce the standard workweek in the United States from 40 hours to 32 hours has been introduced in Congress by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Mark Takano.
The legislation, known as the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, aims to change federal overtime rules while protecting employees from losing wages or benefits because of shorter working hours.
Bill Would Lower Overtime Threshold
Under the proposed legislation, the federal overtime threshold would be reduced from 40 hours per week to 32 hours.
The proposal would also prevent employers from responding to the shorter workweek by cutting employees’ regular pay or benefits.
However, the bill would not automatically establish a four-day workweek for American workers. Instead, it would amend federal overtime regulations, making additional working hours more expensive for employers once an employee exceeds 32 hours in a week.
Sanders Links Proposal to AI and Automation
Senator Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, said the proposal is aimed at ensuring workers benefit from technological advances such as artificial intelligence and robotics.
He argued that as automation changes the US economy, the financial gains generated by new technology should be shared more broadly with working families rather than being concentrated among wealthy individuals and corporate executives.
Sanders has promoted a shorter workweek as one potential way to ensure employees benefit from increased productivity without sacrificing their income or benefits.
How Overtime Pay Works Under Current Rules
Under current federal rules, eligible employees generally receive overtime pay at a rate of at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 hours in a workweek.
The proposed legislation would move that threshold to 32 hours, meaning qualifying overtime would begin after an employee crosses the lower weekly limit.
Bill Faces Political Challenges
The proposal is backed by Democrats, while Republicans currently hold majorities in Congress.
As a result, the legislation could face significant political hurdles before it could advance through Congress and potentially become law.
For now, the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act remains a proposal, and US workers will continue to operate under the existing federal overtime framework unless Congress approves a change.
