The proposal to establish a standard 4 days week (32-hour workweek) has been reintroduced in the United States by California Representative Mark Takano. The bill aims to make four-day workweeks the norm instead of the traditional 40-hour workweek. According to Takano, this would improve the quality of life of workers, allowing them to have more time to live, play, and enjoy life outside of work.
The United Kingdom's pilot program, which launched in June 2022, reported successful results with around 3,300 workers from 70 companies working fewer hours for 100% of their pay while maintaining the same level of productivity. More than 90% of UK companies are unwilling to return to the old model.
Washington State Representative Pramila Jayapal, an original co-sponsor of the bill, believes that for too long, the US has prioritized corporate profits over working people, forcing Americans to work longer hours and sacrificing time with loved ones. She asserts that establishing a 32-hour workweek would go a long way toward righting that balance.
The bill was first introduced in Congress in 2021 but failed to advance further. It gained internet attention after it was endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
If this bill is passed, then as a collateral effect even the MNCs in India may follow the same. Then every week will have a long weekend. Will productivity suffer? That's a different debate.
