S. 5384: Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act

This bill would change federal wage-and-hour law to make the standard full-time workweek shorter over time.

What would change

• The Fair Labor Standards Act currently generally requires overtime pay after 40 hours in a workweek.
• This bill would lower that threshold in stages until it reaches 32 hours per week.
• Specifically, after the bill takes effect:
  • During the first year, overtime would apply after 38 hours in a workweek.
  • During the second year, overtime would apply after 36 hours.
  • During the third year, overtime would apply after 34 hours.
  • After that, overtime would apply after 32 hours.

Daily overtime rules

• The bill would also add federal overtime rules based on hours worked in a day.
• An employee working more than 8 hours but not more than 12 hours in a day would have to receive at least time-and-a-half for the hours over 8.
• An employee working more than 12 hours in a day would have to receive at least double time for the hours over 12.

Limits on pay cuts

• The bill says employers could not lower an affected employee’s total workweek pay rate, regular rate, or other benefits just because the employee becomes covered by the new shorter workweek rules.

Effect on state laws

• The bill would also update a part of federal law that preserves stricter state wage laws, so states could continue to enforce rules that are more protective of workers than the federal standard.

Relevant Companies

None found