32-Hour Workweek Act – Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy

A BILL

To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to reduce the standard workweek for social wellbeing and sustainability purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

(a) SHORT TITLE.— This Act may be cited as the “32-Hour Workweek Act.”

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

(a) Congress finds that—

(1) In 1940 the Fair Labor Standards Act was amended to reduce the standard workweek from 44 to 40 hours;

(2) At a time of slowing GDP growth, reducing the workweek is essential to achieving full employment and macroeconomic stability;

(3) Reducing the level of economic activity is essential for economic sustainability;

(4) A reduced workweek is proven to be beneficial to both employers and employees; and

(5) Reducing the workweek of high-wage full-time employees to 32 hours is in the interest of the United States.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

(a) In this Act,

(1) The term “Act” means the 32-Hour Workweek Act;

(2) The term “employer” means any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of a public or private employer in relation to an employee;

(3) The term “high-wage employee” means any person whose occupation falls within the Standard Occupational Classification’s major occupational groups at a median annual wage greater than $60,087 adjusted for inflation; and

(4) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.

SEC. 4. THIRTY-TWO HOUR WORKWEEK.

(a) WORKWEEK.— No employer shall employ any high-wage employee—

(1) For a workweek longer than thirty-eight hours during the one-year period beginning not less than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act;

(2) For a workweek longer than thirty-six hours during the second year after the first day of this enactment;

(3) For a workweek longer than thirty-four hours during the third year after the first day of this enactment; or

(4) For a workweek longer than thirty-two hours after the expiration of the third year after the first day of this enactment.

(b) APPLICATION.— This Act shall apply to all employers hiring high-wage employees.

(1) For a workweek longer than thirty-two hours unless such high-wage employee receives compensation for their employment in excess of the hours specified at a rate not less than one-and-one-half times the regular rate at which he or she is employed; nor

(2) For a workday longer than—

(A) Eight hours unless such high-wage employee receives compensation for their employment in excess of the hours above specified at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate at which he or she is employed; or

(B) Twelve hours unless such high-wage employee receives compensation for their employment in excess of the hours above specified at a rate not less than two times the regular rate at which he or she is employed.

SEC 5. PENALTIES.

(a) Any employer who violates this Act shall be liable to the high-wage employees affected in the amount of their unpaid minimum wages, or their unpaid overtime compensation, and in an additional equal amount as liquidated damages.

SEC. 6. ENACTMENT.

(a) This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2028.