A law mandating a 32-hour workday or a 4-day workweek will be introduced, according to Democratic Representative G. Roni Green, without affecting employee pay. Green has provided the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with a co-sponsorship document.
She stated in her memorandum that she will submit legislation requiring companies with more than 500 workers to cut back on employees’ workweeks from 40 to 32 hours, without affecting their pay. However, small and medium-sized firms will not be covered by the Act.
“This legislation would exclude local and mid-size businesses from the requirement allowing those companies to continue to work a 40-hour workweek,” averred Green in a memorandum.
Notably, the Federal Fair Labour Standards Act of 1938 created the normal 40-hour workweek rule. Green argues that in light of the workplace environment of today, the 1938 statute should be changed.
“Today, most workers continue to work a standard 40-hour workweek, but society looks and operates differently than it once did in 1938,” stated Green.
“Technological advancement alone have significantly increased the productivity of workers allowing more work to be accomplished in less time,” she further added.
Seeking the legislation, Green countered that “research has shown that companies may be able to adopt a four-day workweek without losing worker productivity.”
Green underscored the need for work-life balance in her message and emphasised that a four-day workweek will benefit employees by allowing them more time for rest and taking care of family responsibilities. She emphasised that cutting back on work hours will benefit employees’ physical and emotional well-being.
