Even if the studies show that reducing working hours per week is beneficial to both for employers and employees, how do we get there? The federal government-meaning your elected officials-will have to pave the way. Similar to the path of the 40 hour work week, and some states like California and Maryland have already proposed this legislation.
Private employers could implement a 32 hour work week at any time, but with the proposed legislation, employers would be paying employees for a full 40 hours, and the employees would only be on the job for 32 hours and hourly employees would be paid overtime pay after 32 hours.
Naturally, employers, and some employees will be resistant to change and skeptical of the advantages of the 32 hour work week. Employers will have to determine how best to manage workloads and clients, with employees working less hours per week. This will require some creativity on the part of the employers: adjusting schedules, and improving work places processes. What employers need to leverage is innovation and technology.
A 32 hour work week is achievable, but it will require being efficient and effective. Employee down time would need to be eliminated, and with reduced hours on the job employees would need to be more focused during their time at work. Among the reasons to implement the 32 hour work week was: less hours at work will increase morale and employees who are happy will contribute more and be more productive and creative. Additionally, the 32 hour work week will likely have a positive health and wellness impact on employees.
Not only do employees benefit from a shorter work week but employers gain the benefit of not only having happier and healthier employees but also retaining better employees by investing in those employees.
CALL NOW FOR A FREE STRATEGY SESSION FROM A MN BANKRUPTCY LAWYER AT LIFEBACK LAW FIRM
At one point in our very recent history, a 40 hour work week was a novel concept. And individual employees needed to change the current attitude toward what was an acceptable amount of hours to work each week. Perhaps after 90 years of the 40 hour work week it is time we re-evaluated the current standard. Contact the attorneys at LifeBackLaw and see us at www.LifeBackLaw.com and let us help you get your life back.
