Progressives in Congress are backing a bill for a 4-day work week

[FBaggins]

Progressives in Congress are lining up behind a bill that would shrink a regular week of work from 40 hours to 32 — bringing the four-day work week to America.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus just endorsed the aptly named "32-Hour Workweek Act," according to a statement from Rep. Mark Takano, the Democrat representing California's 41st district. The caucus, comprised of nearly 100 legislators, is a key progressive voice and has made its power known during recent infrastructure negotiations.

"For far too long, workers across this country have been forced to put in longer hours as their wages barely budge," chair of the caucus and Washington state Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal, said in a statement.

In the US, wages have been declining for five decades, with economic growth increasingly benefiting workers less. As workers demand more from work, and refuse to work in positions that don't suit their needs, a four-day workweek has caught traction. The shorter week has been shown in other countries to keep business booming and workers happier. Its implementation into law — or at least the mainstream — could mark a pivotal moment in America's rethink of work.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/progressives-in-congress-are-backing-a-bill-for-a-4-day-work-week/ar-AARzDfT

[msongs]

1. 20% reduction in work...does this mean a 20% reduction of income? nt

[jimfields33]

2. I like it but really only salaried workers would benefit

Hourly would get 32 hours of pay? Even federal government workers get hourly pay. A provision would have to state that no pay is decreased from this bill. Plus corporations like grocery stores should be part of this but probably won’t be.

[TexasTowelie]

9. Salaried workers wouldn't see any benefit either.

My employer didn't have any qualms expecting me to work 70 or more hours a week under a 40 hour week with no extra pay or comp time, so why would my employer behave any different if the work week was only 32 hours?

[jimfields33]

21. That's a good point and example.

[TexasTowelie]

3. Yes, but will workers be willing to accept the 20% pay cut that goes along with the reduced hours?

[Faux pas]

4. ...

Right now the 32 hour work week doesn't count as full time and has no benefits. Wouldn't that plan just give employers more power to eff over the workers?

Lol I might be missing something?

[Volaris]

6. I think there correct.

Part time would move from 25-30, and you'd get screwed on ins/benefits.

This is just me, but I would take 4 10s, and you get your choice of either friday or monday off work.

We need a workers bill of rights, tbh.

[TexasTowelie]

13. At one point I did have a schedule where I worked 10 hour days Monday through Thursday

while taking off on Friday. Another colleague did something similar taking off on Monday. The biggest issue is that it forced all department meetings to be held Tuesday through Thursday.

From a personal perspective it allowed me to stop renting in Austin when my rent increases outpaced my pay raises. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to drive 90 miles into Austin on Monday morning. I rented a room for three nights and left Austin on Thursday night.

The other odd thing was that even though there were ten people in the department, there were several times when I was the only one that showed up at work on Monday morning even though the rest the crew lived within ten miles. There were several times when my Monday morning was pretty much wasted taking the phone calls from everyone else that wouldn't get off their butts to make it into work on time.

[CrispyQ]

18. My husband worked three 12-hour shifts for years & years.

I would like four 10's. One extra day off a week makes a HUGE difference in your life. I would even take Wednesday. You never have to work more than two days before you get a day off.

[Budi]

5. That argument is more populist than current.

Work week conditions have bee forever altered to suit the needs & preferences of work-from-home since the Covid Lockdown.

Lives adjusted around that & now have found caring for family, personal appointments etc, are far more preferred & viable than the old 40+hr grind away from home at the office, & out of touch with family needs, etc.

Wages have been rased higher (thank you Pres Biden), economy is adjusting well upwards & I find Rep Jayapal's populist argument out of date with the current times we live & work in.

Pre-2020, sure., however the entire working condition for Americans, their family care time, their personal autonomy in a less rigid office structured work environment is the new norm.

40 hour work week isn't the same one as 2 years ago.
The argument is moot at this ever evolving time.

[Bev54]

7. I think at this point, it is far more important to get paid family leave, voting rights, increase

minimum wage, immigration and a number of other really desperate measures needed, before even looking at a 4 day work week.

[Torchlight]

11. I tend to echo your point

In this instance, what the Progressive Caucus is doing seems little more than getting headlines.

The concerns you mentioned are foundational, and until they are addressed... well, putting new curtains up in the stateroom of the Titanic wasn't the best use of time and resources.

[Skittles]

8. my "standard" work week is four days

but it's 12 hour shifts

[JustAnotherGen]

10. It goes nowhere

[gratuitous]

12. Since 1980, wages have been stagnant while productivity has boomed

All the Wealth created by Labor working harder, smarter, and more efficiently has not gone into the pockets of the workers. Workers have subsidized the bosses for decades, and it's time (past time, really) for a more balanced and equitable system, one that puts the Wealth into the hands of those who created it.

[sheshe2]

14. Sounds to me like less pay and less benefits.

Correct me if I am wrong.

[zipplewrath]

16. It will vary with each job

What this fundamentally means is the time and a half for over time starts at 32 hours, not 40. It would also mean that "full time" benefits would start at 32 at a minimum (and potentially lower). But yes, this is an idea that is a tad bit dated. A tremendous number of hourly workers voluntarily work more than 40 in order to increase their pay. Salaried already have a tug and pull to work well over 40 hours a week. And with so many now working from home on various self defined schedules, 40 hours isn't the issue in many ways, it's hourly, or salaried, pay.

[Polybius]

15. I do four 10 hour shifts per week

That's my four day work week.

[iemanja]

17. This isn't a smart move in our current political climate.

It doesn't help Democrats.

[ecstatic]

19. This is getting ridiculous

This plan would mean that hours 33 through 40 are overtime. We have more important things to worry about and this could alienate small business owners, many of whom are Democrats. Just stop, ffs.

If someone wants 32 hours, they'll work 32 hours. Also, Americans are already annoyed when customer service support isn't available on the weekends. The reason for the 5 day work week is because we ourselves demand it when we request services all days / hours of the damn week.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

20. This thread is fucking hilarious. And I don't mean the proposal in the OP.

[Zeitghost]

22. It has no chance at passing

And if it did, it would have have no or negative effects on workers.

Salaried employees would not be affected.
Hourly employees would get 8 hours less a week on their paychecks.