PRINTER'S NO. 3308
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
214
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY RABB, INNAMORATO, SANCHEZ AND GILLEN,
JUNE 24, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, JUNE 24, 2022
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study of implementing a four-day workweek or other
flexible work schedules for certain executive branch
nonsecurity employees.
WHEREAS, Union members and other labor activists in the
United States have shed blood, sweat and tears since the early
1800s fighting for workers' rights, including a shorter
workweek; and
WHEREAS, In 1874, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed
the country's first enforceable 10-hour-per-day working limit
for women; and
WHEREAS, In 1933, the United States Senate passed legislation
sponsored by future Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black by a vote
of 53-30 that would have, in part, implemented a 30-hour
workweek nationwide; and
WHEREAS, American workers were forced to wait another five
years before the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 became law and
established the 40-hour workweek that we know today; and
WHEREAS, The country's labor market and people's working
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lives changed significantly over the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, A 2018 four-day workweek pilot program at Perpetual
Guardian, a New Zealand company, led to a 44% increase in work-
life balance, a 20% average increase in team engagement and a 7%
decrease in employees' stress levels; and
WHEREAS, Microsoft Japan experienced a 40% boost in
productivity and a 23% reduction in electricity costs during a
summer-long, four-day workweek pilot program in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Legislation has been introduced in the United States
Congress to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to
require overtime pay after working 32 hours in one week; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth should explore any cost-saving
measure that has the potential to enhance the State government's
efficiency while simultaneously increasing employee
satisfaction; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth, as an employer, owes its employees
dignity, respect and the opportunity to have a successful
career; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of
implementing a four-day workweek or other flexible work
schedules for executive branch employees not including employees
in security and safety positions; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include the extent to which a four-
day workweek or other flexible work schedules have the potential
to improve work-life balance, reduce burn-out, increase
productivity and improve recruitment prospects for key jobs in
this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly
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within 180 days of the adoption of this resolution.
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