32-Hour Workweek Could Actually Happen Thanks To California Congressman

A shorter workweek might be a reality thanks to a bill from a California Congressman.

"I am introducing this legislation to reduce the standard workweek to 32 hours because - now more than ever - people continue to work longer hours while their pay remains stagnant," Rep. Mark Takano of Riverside said in a press release. "We cannot continue to accept this as our reality. Many countries and businesses that have experimented with a four-day workweek found it to be an overwhelming success as productivity grew and wages increased."

According to Takano, the 40-hour workweek was established by the Fair Labor Act in 1935 and is long overdue for an update. He believes the shorter workweeks will help reduce health care premiums for employers and lower operational costs.

The bill has gained support from Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, and Rep. Chuy Garcia.

However, Takano told Eyewitness News he doesn't think the five-day workweek will come to an end. Instead, he says employees will get paid overtime on the fifth day and that will amount to a 10% pay increase for most workers.

Takano also believes a 32-hour workweek will actually increase productivity at work anywhere from 25% to 40%.