Introduction of the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act
A new legislative proposal seeks to adjust the standard workweek in the United States to 32 hours. The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, introduced by independent Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont and Democratic Representative Mark Takano from California, aims to modify the current federal overtime laws. The proposal highlights the need for workers to benefit from productivity gains resulting from advancements in artificial intelligence and automation.
This bill would gradually reduce the threshold for overtime pay. Currently set at 40 hours per week, this threshold would be lowered over several years. The initial reduction would decrease the threshold to 38 hours in the first year, followed by 36 hours in the second, 34 hours in the third, and finally settling at 32 hours.
Implications for Employers and Employees
If enacted, the bill would not enforce a mandatory Monday-to-Thursday work schedule. It would merely make it more costly for employers to require employees to work beyond 32 hours. The measure is designed to prevent employers from reducing workers’ pay or benefits due to shortened standard hours.
Under current federal law, workers covered by overtime protections earn at least one-and-a-half times their normal rate for hours exceeding 40 per week. The proposed lower limits would afford eligible employees more overtime pay when working beyond the newly established thresholds. Employers could require longer work hours, but these would include more cost-intensive overtime hours.
Moreover, the act would change daily overtime rules. Employees would earn time-and-a-half for working more than eight hours a day, and double their regular pay for working more than 12 hours.
Scope and Exemptions
The bill doesn’t automatically grant everyone a three-day weekend. Businesses could organize 32-hour schedules over any number of weekdays. Additionally, the modifications to the Fair Labor Standards Act won’t apply uniformly across all workers. Current exemptions, covering executives, administrators, and professional workers, would remain intact.
Historical Background and State-Level Experiments
Discussions surrounding the 32-hour workweek have been ongoing in Congress. Representative Takano introduced similar bills in 2021 and 2023, while Senator Sanders initiated Senate legislation in 2024. The Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee has also reviewed the concept of reducing work hours nationally.
Initially, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 set the overtime threshold at 44 hours, which later fell to 42 hours, then 40. This evolution reflects the progression of federal wage-and-hour protections. At the state level, Maryland considered a voluntary four-day workweek pilot in 2023, offering tax incentives though the project was withdrawn.
San Juan County in Washington State experimented with a 32-hour week beginning in 2023. Following the pilot’s positive results, including reduced sick-leave usage and cost savings, the county moved to formalize the system in late 2025.
Internationally, the United Kingdom tested a similar reduced hours approach in 2022. About 2,900 workers from 61 organizations participated, resulting in a 65% decrease in sick leave and a 57% drop in staff turnover. Although widely supported by participating firms, the trial did not prompt new legislation.
Arguments For and Against the Proposal
Advocates assert the technology-driven increase in business capabilities supports a reduction in work hours. Senator Sanders emphasizes using AI and automation to enhance workers’ quality of life rather than merely boosting corporate profits. He views the act as a means to alleviate stress and improve living conditions for employees.
Conversely, opponents warn of potential cost implications. They suggest that maintaining pay while reducing workweek length might lead businesses to hike prices, limit hiring, or relocate jobs. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy highlighted these concerns during a 2024 Senate hearing.