On September 14, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, introduced S 5384, the Thirty-Two-Hour Workweek Act, which would reduce the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours. Companion legislation, HR 10323, was introduced by Rep. Mark Takano, D-California, on September 8. Similar proposals have been introduced in prior sessions, including legislation sponsored by Senators Sanders in 2024 and Takano in 2021. The legislation would lower the threshold for overtime compensation, requiring employees to receive time-and-a-half or double-time pay for hours worked beyond eight hours in a day or 32 hours in a week. Supporters argue that labor laws have not kept pace with technological advances that allow workers to maintain or increase productivity in fewer hours. Discussions about artificial intelligence have further fueled debate over whether shorter workweeks could become more practical in the future.
The current 40-hour workweek was established during the Roosevelt administration in the 1930s, reflecting labor reforms promoted by the “8-8-8” movement: eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of personal time. Modern advocates often reference the “100:80:100” model, under which employees receive 100 percent of their pay for 80 percent of the traditional work hours while maintaining 100 percent of expected productivity. Opponents argue that the concept may not fully reflect modern workplace realities, particularly as remote and flexible work arrangements have become more common. They also cite potential costs to employers, including increased overtime obligations, payroll expenses, payroll taxes, and workers’ compensation costs that could result from a shortened standard workweek.
State Activity
Several states have considered legislation related to four-day workweeks, often through pilot programs and tax incentives:
- Maine considered LD 1865, sponsored by Sen. Rick Bennett, I-Oxford, which proposed a tax incentive pilot program encouraging businesses to adopt a four-day workweek. The bill passed committee with amendments but died at adjournment.
- Massachusetts HB 2065 remains pending in the House Ways & Means Committee. It would create the Massachusetts Smart Work Week Pilot Program. The program would study employers with at least 15 employees across a variety of industries. Participating employers would be eligible for tax credits. Similar legislation, SB 1330, was referred for
- New Jersey introduced SB 4242 in May 2026. The bill would establish a pilot program allowing certain executive-branch state employees to work staggered four-day schedules. Participants would complete surveys and the results would be reported to the legislature.
- New York considered several pilot-program proposals during the session. AB 5423 and SB 9443 would have created a four-day workweek pilot program for state employees and required a report by October 2030. AB 5454 and SB 9442 would have established a pilot program for private employers with 30 or more employees and offered tax credits of up to $250,000. None advanced beyond committee consideration.
- Pennsylvania HB 884 was introduced in March 2025. The bill would create a pilot program and provide tax incentives to participating employers.
- Rhode Island considered HB 7362, which would have required employers with 500 or more employees to reduce the standard workweek to 32 hours. The bill was held for further study and ultimately died when the legislative session adjourned.
Outlook
While no state has yet broadly mandated a four-day, 32-hour workweek, interest in the concept continues to grow. Federal proposals and state-level pilot programs reflect ongoing efforts to evaluate whether a shorter workweek can improve work-life balance while maintaining productivity. Legislators and stakeholders remain divided over the potential benefits and costs, ensuring that the issue will likely continue to be debated in future sessions.
FOCUS will continue to monitor developments on four-day workweek policies across the country.
by Alexis Sly 9/28/26
