Is Less Really More? Bernie Sanders Wants To Change The Way Americans Work, Here's How

On June 25, 1938, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) into law, introducing the 40-hour workweek to solve a problem that many Americans were dealing with at the time.

They worked too much. Prior to the enactment of the FLSA, many workers were subjected to excessively long hours, often working 80, 90, or even 100 hours a week.

Now, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wants to shorten the modern workweek even further.

What Happened: Sanders called for a 32-hour workweek with no loss in pay, citing the need for a better work-life balance and increased productivity.

Despite technological advancements and increased worker productivity, Americans still work longer hours for lower wages compared to other developed nations, the former presidential hopeful wrote in an Op-Ed featured in The Guardian.

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Sanders pointed out that the U.S. lags behind other countries in workplace policies, with American employees working significantly more hours than their counterparts in Japan, the U.K., and Germany.

The Vermont senator argued that it is time for Americans to enjoy a better quality of life and benefit from rapidly increasing technology, rather than just large corporations.

Moving to a 32-hour work week is not a radical idea, Sanders said, as other countries including France, Norway, and Denmark have already reduced their workweeks.

Why It Matters: A four-day pilot program in the U.K. showed that happy workers were more productive, he noted, with 92% of participating companies deciding to maintain a four-day week due to benefits for both employers and employees.

Studies have shown that despite working fewer hours, workers remain as productive or even more so during a four-day workweek. Trials in Iceland and Japan demonstrated improved productivity, and workers at companies with a four-day workweek have reported less burnout, stress, and fatigue.

Sanders emphasized that as technology and worker productivity continue to advance, the transformation of the economy should benefit all, not just a select few.

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