news agency
The commitment to a 32-hour work week in the US returns to the public debate

The commitment to a 32-hour work week in the US returns to the public debate

The 40-hour work week in USA is in the spotlight. The pandemic It demonstrated the possibilities of making hours more flexible, and a Democratic congressman has used that momentum to reintroduce a bill that subtracts 8 hours from that standard rate of work.

Mark Takano’s proposal would modify the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which established the rules on minimum wage and overtime payment in 1938, and would make the remuneration received improve after 32 hours, thus urging employers or pay more or hire more people.

It would only apply to calls “non-exempt workers”those who are normally paid by the hour and who receive an extra from 40 per week.

It was presented in March and although it is not likely to prosper because the committee that must give the green light to its parliamentary process is chaired by the Republicans and three months later it still has not ruled, it has already been enough to open the debate.

“The pandemic has caused many Americans to rethink the balance between their personal and professional lives. We are seeing how many more people ask for flexibility. They realized that having time was also important”, explains the legislator to EFE.

The reform for which he advocates, which was already halted in 2021, is not merely symbolic. “The employer is going to have to think twice when saying ‘I’m going to keep you in 32 hours because I want to save money.’ Where are they going to find people who want to do the equivalent of that fifth day?”he wonders. It may be more costly to pay the difference.

Takano recalls that although technology has increased productivity in recent decades, the worker has not benefited from these advances. In his opinion, the eventual application of his bill does not have to be a “logistical nightmare” nor economic.

Leftist Senator Bernie Sanders agrees. “Now is the time to reduce the work week to 32 hours without any loss in pay. Workers must benefit from advanced technology, not just the 1%”, he said on Twitter in April.

Takano’s cabinet estimates that some 100 million people would benefit, but conservative lawmaker Virginia Foxx, chair of the committee that must approve the proposal for a vote in the House of Representatives, is not in favor of work.

“Blanket federal regulations often do more harm than good and do not take into account the specific needs of industries, communities, and small businesses,” the congresswoman said.

Pilot experiences carried out by the non-profit coalition 4 Day Week Global, which promotes the four-day or 32-hour work week, have, however, offered positive results.

Thirty-three companies took the test in 2022 for six months in the US and Ireland, in sectors such as telecommunications. Of the 27 that filled out the final report, two thirds opted to continue with the new scheme and the 16 that provided data on the comparable semester saw an increase in 37.55% in your income.

He 96.9% of the workers surveyed also gave their yes to this new organization, which, according to these data, allowed the levels of fatigue to drop by 57% and that sleep problems were reduced a 51%.

4 Day Week Global CEO Dale Whelehan believes the 32-hour work week helps retain staff and attract new workers. “From a labor point of view, it allows for the creation of a happier and healthier workforce”tells EFE.

Ultimately, in his opinion, “this leads to a better economy” and those who do not join this new wave that is beginning to reach height “They are going to have a really hard time in the war to find new talent in the next few years.”

Source: EFE

Source: Gestion

You may also like

Hot News

TRENDING NEWS

Subscribe

follow us

Immediate Access Pro