Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a bill to make a 32-hour workweek the standard. Reddit users have conflicting thoughts about its feasibility, but an expert says it has serious health benefits.
The idea of switching to a 32-hour or four-day workweek has been emerging for quite some time now, with several countries and companies conducting pilot projects to determine how it may impact productivity, revenue, and workers’ mental health.
Many of these studies have yielded positive results, which is why Bernie Sanders has introduced The Thirty-Two-Hour Workweek Act in the United States Senate.
If enacted, the bill would reduce the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours over four years by lowering the maximum hours threshold for overtime compensation for non-exempt employees. It would also require overtime pay at time and a half for workdays longer than eight hours and overtime pay at double a worker’s regular pay for work days longer than 12 hours. Additionally, it would protect workers’ pay and benefits to ensure that a reduction in the workweek does not cause a loss in pay.
“The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act is an important step toward ensuring workers share in increasing productivity and economic growth driven by technological advancements,” reads a factsheet about the bill.
In light of the news about Sanders’ bill, Reddit users have been discussing their opinions on the logistics and likelihood of such a bill actually passing in the r/FluentInFinance thread. Many are hopeful at the possibility, while others are skeptical.
What Reddit users are saying
Though plenty of Reddit users wrote in the thread that they are all for the idea, many believe it’s highly unlikely that a 32-hour workweek could genuinely become a reality in the U.S.
“Sounds great. Would absolutely love for this to happen......it won't even get a vote,” wrote user Big_lt.
Others, meanwhile, expressed certainty that even if it did happen, it would be difficult to enforce. But fellow Reddit users quickly chimed in to remind them of the existence of the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, adding that existing labor laws also once seemed like an unlikely fantasy.
However, many users expressed concerns that this would hurt businesses and force them to raise prices.
Hopeful users, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of advocating for something good, even if it seems somewhat radical or outside the status quo.
“That’s what they said about weekends back in the day too,” wrote user Flipperlolrs in response to those who said it isn’t possible. “It’s not a sure thing, but it’s no mistake to advocate for it.”
Some non-U.S. residents meanwhile chimed in to mention that such policies already exist in other countries.
One user added that it is important to know the specific details before assuming that it may work.
“People are two quick to dismiss this without hearing the details of the plan,” wrote user MattofCatbell.
The benefits of a 32-hour workweek
Studies have shown that the 32-hour workweek presents a number of benefits. One recent pilot program of 3,000 workers at over 60 companies in the United Kingdom found that workers who were happier were also more productive, with over 70% of workers reporting greater satisfaction with their time and feeling less burnt out. Businesses that participated in the program meanwhile saw a 35% average increase in revenue.
Another pilot program involving 41 companies in the U.S. and Canada yielded similar results, and none of the companies that participated expressed a desire to return to a five-day workweek when it was finished. In addition to improved morale among workers and increased productivity, studies have also found that reduced workweeks result in lower childcare costs and reduced carbon emissions.
Shortened workweeks present a number of health benefits beyond increased happiness, according to Mary Poffenroth, Ph.D., a neuro-hacking biopsychologist and author of “Brave New You: Strategies, Tools, and Neurohacks to Live More Courageously Every Day.”
“When you work 32 hours a week, your brain has more time to rest, which makes you more creative,” Poffenroth tells Healthnews. “This extra time to relax is very important for the mental processes that lead to new ideas and creative solutions to problems.”
When we leave work, our brains don't just turn off — they switch to a different mode of operation, sometimes called the "default mode network," she explains. This mode lets the mind wander more and lets ideas flow freely.
During these periods, the brain can make unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, which is the essence of creativity, she says. This process is known as incubation in creativity research, and it often leads to those "eureka" moments where solutions to complex problems suddenly become clear.
“The reduced time pressure of a 32-hour week allows employees to engage in activities that stimulate different parts of the brain, further enhancing this creative process,” Poffenroth says. “Whether it's pursuing hobbies, spending time in nature, or simply daydreaming, these activities provide the mental space needed for innovative thinking.”
Working less also has physical health benefits. Adopting a 32-hour workweek can lessen the impact of some of the health problems that come with working in an office, Poffenroth says, especially eye strain and problems with the muscles and bones.
“Workers in traditional workplaces often sit at their desks or stare at their computers for long periods of time, which can cause a number of health problems,” she says.
For example, many office workers complain about eye strain — also called computer vision syndrome. Symptoms of this condition can include headaches, dry eyes, and blurred vision. By cutting the workweek short, she says employees spend less time in front of screens and are exposed to less of the harmful blue light that digital devices give off.
“Less time spent in front of a screen gives the eyes more time to focus on things far away and blink naturally, both of which are important for keeping the eyes healthy and avoiding strain,” she says.
Musculoskeletal problems, like back pain, neck strain, and injuries caused by repetitive stress, are also common problems caused by working in an office. These issues often arise from staying in one position for a long time, she says, like when you're sitting at a desk.
Switching to a 32-hour workweek naturally cuts down on the time spent in these stagnant, potentially harmful positions.
“When people work fewer hours, they have more time to do physical activities and move around, which can help counteract the bad effects of sitting for long periods of time,” she says. “A 32-hour workweek can help employees keep their eyes healthy and their muscles and bones working well by limiting the time they spend in potentially harmful work environments and giving them more chances to move around and rest.”
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