Capitol News

For decades, the 40-hour workweek has been a standard in the United States. Millions of Americans typically work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or even later. Recently, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, proposing a reduction of the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours. Although this bill is still in its early stages, it has sparked discussions about potential changes.

Angela Hall, an associate professor at Michigan State University’s School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, and Chu-Hsiang “Daisy” Chang, a professor of organizational psychology at MSU's Department of Psychology, have shared insights on the possible effects of such a change.

Hall explains that historically, in the 19th century, workers commonly had six-day workweeks with ten-hour days. In the 1920s, Henry Ford implemented eight-hour shifts in his factories to enable continuous operation. During the Great Depression, shorter shifts were adopted to distribute jobs among more people. The last major change came with the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 which reduced overtime from 44 to 40 hours per week.

"This proposed bill would reduce the workweek from 40 to 32 hours without a reduction in pay," Hall noted. This change could significantly impact hourly workers entitled to overtime under current regulations.

Discussing why the 40-hour week has persisted for so long, Hall said: "Part of it has to do with the fact that Congress normalized the 40-hour week with the Fair Labor Standards Act." She also pointed out societal values emphasizing individual achievement over work-life balance.

Chang added that reducing workweek hours could lead to better work-life balance and potentially less stress for workers: "This can lead to...a healthier workplace and a healthier society."

However, there are concerns regarding implementation. Chang highlighted risks such as unchanged performance expectations for salaried employees and potential complications related to employment benefits eligibility if definitions aren't adjusted accordingly.

Chang also commented on how companies might react: "The local labor market...the types of jobs that will be affected...can all influence how companies react."

She emphasized that any major changes should be carefully considered: "It is best to think about strategies that will encourage organizations to think about flexibility in a broader sense."

Both experts agree on involving employees in decision-making processes regarding these potential changes.