In a move that seeks to give hourly workers an extra day off, Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a bill in Congress to reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours. The proposal aims to provide more leisure time for employees without cutting their pay and benefits. However, critics argue that mandating a shorter workweek could lead to a decline in productivity or force companies to hire additional workers.

Sanders, a far-left independent from Vermont, believes that advancements in automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence have made it feasible for American companies to afford giving employees more time off. The bill prohibits employers from reducing workers' pay and benefits to compensate for the lost hours. Those eligible for overtime would be compensated for any hours exceeding the 32-hour limit.

The senator plans to phase in the worktime reductions over four years. A recent study conducted in the UK, where a 32-hour workweek was implemented in some companies, revealed that employees reported reduced stress and increased focus, while revenues remained steady or even saw growth. Similarly, a joint initiative by university researchers and the nonprofit organization 4 Day Week Global found that workers experienced less burnout and higher job satisfaction during a six-month pilot with reduced working hours.

Critics, however, argue that a shorter workweek may work for industries where employees primarily utilize computers or attend meetings, but it could prove disastrous for manufacturing plants that rely on hands-on workers to maintain assembly line operation. Roger King of the HR Policy Association cautioned that such concepts must consider the specific needs of each industry.

With anticipated opposition from both Republicans and potentially even some Democrats, it is unlikely that Sanders' proposal will gain significant traction in the Senate. A companion bill introduced by Democratic Representative Mark Takano of California is also expected to face obstacles in the Republican-controlled House.

GOP Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana expressed concerns over the potential impact of paying workers the same wages for fewer hours, suggesting that employers would be compelled to pass the cost of hiring additional workers onto consumers. He emphasized the threat this poses to small businesses operating on thin profit margins.

Sanders has been utilizing his position as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to advocate for legislation that holds large corporations more accountable to their workers. He attributes the increasing productivity resulting from technology to the greed of corporate executives, emphasizing the need to ensure transformational changes benefit the workforce, including a shorter 32-hour workweek.

The discussion surrounding workweek limitations traces back to the Fair Labor Standards Act signed into law in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The law initially limited the workweek to 44 hours but was later amended to establish the 40-hour standard. The act represented a milestone in response to the century-long efforts of labor unions and advocates who recognized the importance of a balanced work-life ratio.

The American labor movement, fueled by concerns about overworked employees, gained momentum in the 1830s among coal miners and textile workers. After the Civil War, the abolishment of slavery spurred a renewed focus on workers' rights. The demand for an "eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what you will" mantra gained traction, leading to the eventual establishment of limited working hours for both government and railroad workers.

While Sanders' proposal may resonate with some, the landscape of differing industry needs and political opposition makes its passage uncertain. The debate surrounding the workweek continues as stakeholders navigate the delicate balance between giving employees more time off and ensuring business productivity and economic stability.