Posted: | August 15, 2023 12:15 PM |
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From: | Representative G. Roni Green |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Four-Day Workweek |
The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 established the standard 40-hour workweek. Today, most workers continue to work a standard 40-hour workweek, but society today looks and operates differently than it once did in 1938. Technological advancements alone have significantly increased the productivity of workers allowing more work to be accomplished in less time. Research has shown that companies may be able to adopt a four-day workweek without losing worker productivity. For this reason, I will soon be introducing legislation that would require reduction of the standard workweek for businesses with more than 500 employees from 40 hours per week to 32 hours per week without a reduction in pay for workers. This legislation would exclude local and mid-size businesses from the requirement allowing those companies to continue to work a 40-hour workweek. Workers deserve to have a weekly schedule that respects a balance of work and personal responsibilities. A four-day workweek would provide hardworking individuals with more time for rest, family obligations, and focus on both physical and mental health. Rested, happy and healthy workers in turn can better focus on work and accomplish more in a workday. Please join me in providing a modernized workweek for workers of large companies in Pennsylvania. |