32-hour work week? This California congressman wants it to be the law

WASHINGTON (KSEE/KGPE) — A California congressman wants to reduce the usual work week to 32 hours, making three-day weekends the norm for many employees.

The amendment was proposed by Representative Mark Takano, who represents the western region of Riverside County in California. It proposes to lower the maximum number of overtime hours from 40 hours to 32 hours, which means that many non-exempt employees would receive overtime for any time spent working more than 32 hours per week.

Takano himself describes the move as a modernization of our current labor standards, prioritizing work-life balance and enabling workers to live more fulfilling lives.

In a Facebook post, Takano’s office says companies that piloted the shorter workweek reported a 40% increase in workplace productivity, as well as a better work-home balance and less sick days taken.

The proposed bill would not immediately introduce the 32-hour work week. If it became law, its impact would be progressive from 38 hours in the first year, 36 hours in the second year, 34 hours in the third year and finally 32 hours in the fourth year.

However, the bill did not make much progress on Capitol Hill. HR 4728 was introduced on July 27, 2021 and referred to the House Education and Labor Committee on the same day. He hasn’t left the committee since, which means the bill still has a long process to go through before it becomes law.