New legislation proposed in Congress would introduce a 32-hour week to the American workplace.
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The Congressional Progressive Caucus on Dec. 7 endorsed a bill by Rep. Mark Takano that would create a 32-hour work week, with overtime paid after each additional hour of work. This has been a long-discussed subject with lawmakers around the world but is finally gaining traction in Washington D.C.
"This goes back to the Industrial Revolution when children were working more than 40 hours a week," KCBS Radio reporter Jim Taylor told KCBS Radio's "Bay Current" on Tuesday. "It was a way to penalize employers who made employees work too much."
Experts have argued that the movement to increase wages after two hours is a way to meet the minimum wage crisis.
"A 40-hour a week worker would be making more money in those extra eight hours. It's a step in the right direction," Taylor added. "Of the 100-member Progressive Caucus of Congress, 100 of them are backing this legislation."
According to Professor Michael Leroy of the University of Illinois and other labor experts, this legislation is about giving Americans more work-life balance.
"At this stage in my life, time is more important," Taylor emphasized. "Even three workdays sounds good."
The bill would not end longer workweeks but would require employers to pay time-and-a-half for overtime starting at 32 hours. Although the measure has gained widespread attention, politicians do not expect it to have enough support to become a law in the near future.
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