Could the US workweek drop to 32 hours?

Could a 32-hour workweek become the new standard in the United States? A bill recently introduced in Congress seeks to introduce a shorter workweek over time, rather than immediately reducing the number of hours worked. The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, proposed by Rep. Mark Takano and Sen. Bernie Sanders, would phase in the change over four years.

Under the legislation, overtime pay would apply to hours worked beyond 32 in a week, rather than the current 40-hour threshold. While the bill does not mandate a four-day workweek for all employers, it would encourage a shift towards this model as productivity gains are reaped by workers. However, the bill faces an uphill battle in Congress, given the current Republican control of both chambers.