The 4-Day Workweek in the U.S.: Why It’s Closer Than You Think

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That’s not a fantasy anymore. It’s the idea gaining real traction in the United States right now, championed by none other than Senator Bernie Sanders.

At the heart of this conversation? One major issue: American workers are stressed, overworked, and burned out. Many show up physically and mentally exhausted—and yet are expected to maintain the same productivity. Sanders believes it’s time to rethink the system entirely.

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🔁 A Radical Change to an Outdated System

The 40-hour, 5-day workweek has been the American standard since 1940. But think about it—haven’t the economy, workforce, and technology evolved dramatically since then?

Under Sanders’ proposal, the standard workweek would shift to 32 hours across 4 days, with no reduction in pay for salaried employees. Overtime would kick in after 8 hours per day.

✅ How It Would Work:

• Salaried Employees: Same pay for fewer hours.

• Hourly Workers: Wage remains the same ($20/hour remains $20/hour), but working 32 hours/week = $640 vs. $800 for 40 hours. However, overtime pay (1.5x) applies beyond 32 hours.

• Rollout: A gradual phase-in—2 hours shaved off the workweek per year over 4 years (40 → 38 → 36 → 34 → 32).

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🧠 Productivity, Burnout & Reality Checks

Some critics warn: Small businesses could be crushed under increased costs if they need to hire more people or pay overtime. For industries that rely on long shifts (healthcare, logistics, emergency services), the math doesn’t quite work.

Take nurses, for example. A common schedule is three 12-hour shifts. Under this proposal, that’s 4 hours of overtime every day—a huge increase in cost for hospitals and healthcare systems.

But here’s the other side of the coin:

• In North America, a 6-month pilot across 41 companies showed:

  • ✅ Workers’ life satisfaction, mental and physical health all improved.

  • ✅ Companies saw an average 15% increase in revenue.

  • ✅ All participating companies chose to keep the policy permanently.

• In the U.K., a similar study of 61 companies found:

  • 🧾 Revenue remained stable.

  • 🚑 Sick days and employee turnover went down significantly.

The takeaway? Happier employees = better results.

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💡 Why Now? Technology & AI Change the Equation

One of Sanders’ deeper arguments is philosophical:
“Technology has made working people far more productive—but those benefits have mostly gone to the top.”

Productivity in the U.S. has skyrocketed over the last 70+ years. One worker today does the work that 12 people used to do. Now with AI and automation, even more tasks can be handled faster, cheaper, and more efficiently.

A McKinsey report predicts that by 2030, nearly 30% of U.S. work activities could be automated—especially due to generative AI. So instead of replacing jobs entirely or overworking humans, why not reduce the burden on the human workforce?

💸 The Flip Side: Small Business Struggles & Potential Abuse

Let’s not ignore the risks:

• Small businesses operating on tight margins might not survive the shift.

• Employers might cut hours or convert full-time workers to part-time to dodge overtime rules.

• High-demand industries like healthcare or public services may face increased expenses or staffing shortages.

• A new divide may emerge: Wealthier companies adopt 4-day workweeks, while lower-wage workers juggle multiple part-time jobs to stay afloat.

👥 Does the Bill Have a Chance?

Right now? No.

The bill has just two co-sponsors in the Senate, and a similar bill introduced earlier had support from only seven House members. It’s unlikely to pass in its current form.

But the conversation is gaining momentum—not just among politicians, but also among forward-thinking companies, economists, and exhausted workers.

🔮 So, is a 4-day workweek the future?

Whether it becomes law or not, one thing is certain:
The idea isn’t going away.

• Public support is growing.

• Pilot programs are thriving.

• AI and tech are making it possible.

As long as workers continue to feel burned out and as long as productivity continues to rise, the pressure to “work smarter, not longer” will only increase.

The real question isn’t if the U.S. will shift to a 4-day workweek.
It’s when—and how fairly—it will happen.

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