Sanders Proposes Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Legislation

Why it matters locally: If passed, this federal legislation would significantly alter labor laws across Hawaii, potentially impacting businesses and workers in the state's key industries by mandating a reduced workweek without a decrease in pay.

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Senator Bernie Sanders introduced legislation designed to reduce the standard workweek to 32 hours. The "Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act" outlines a plan to achieve this reduction over a four-year timeframe. The proposal specifically aims to lower the maximum hours threshold for overtime pay. This adjustment would transition the federal standard workweek from its current 40 hours to 32 hours. Under the terms of the proposed act, workers would maintain their current pay levels. The legislation also specifies that employees would continue to receive their existing benefits.