Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 18, 2022 03:56 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Christopher M. Rabb |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Evaluating the 4-day workweek for Pennsylvania employers |
| Approximately 100 years ago, union members and other labor activists shed blood, sweat, and tears to fight for a 5-day, 40-hour workweek in the United States. Since then, the labor market and our working lives have changed dramatically. Technological advances have rapidly increased productivity, and far more of us now work in offices than on farms. Across the globe, companies and governments have started to run pilot programs testing a shorter work week with promising results. While productivity climbed, workers reported better work-life balance and morale, took fewer sick days, and had lower childcare expenses. I will soon be introducing a resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of moving Commonwealth employees to a 4-day work week. This study would comprehensively examine several aspects of this change, including policies to incentivize all Pennsylvania employers to make the shift. As elected representatives, we owe it to the Commonwealth’s taxpayers to explore any cost-saving measures that have the potential to enhance the state government’s efficacy while pursuing the same outcome for the greater good of our state, its employers and employees alike. Please join this exciting effort to examine innovations to modernize and improve the future of work in and for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians. |
Introduced as HR214