A California representative is advocating for a four-day workweek to help people spend more time with their families.
Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside introduced the legislation in December. "Hard working Americans need a reimagined workweek, one where they can earn livable wages without compromising a healthy work/life balance – this is a good thing," he said.Fw
The legislation would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours by lowering the maximum hours threshold for overtime compensation for non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
"After a nearly two-year-long pandemic that forced millions of people to explore remote work options, it's safe to say that we can't – and shouldn't – simply go back to normal, because normal wasn't working," he wrote in a press release.
Pervasive workplace issues such as low wages, how much power workers have and how to navigate work amidst ongoing pandemic trauma will be addressed.
Takano believes a 32-hour workweek will be good for the economy, good for business and will give workers more time to spend with loved ones. "That's where it really counts," he said.
The legislation is still awaiting a vote.
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