California proposes four-day work week for companies with more than 500 employees which would force firms to pay overtime to anyone working more than 32 hours per week

  • California bill would shorten the standard US work week from 40 to 32 hours  
  • Across the state of California about 2,600 companies, or roughly one-fifth of those working for the state’s employers would be affected 
  • Proposal is part of a broader focus on work-life balance spurred by the coronavirus
  • Gig workers would be excluded from overtime pay requirements 
  • Four-day work weeks have been trialled in other countries and the results have been encouraging boosting employee productivity and reducing stress
  • In Iceland, a trial was so successful that 8 in 10 employees have moved to working four days a week
  • The state’s bill is similar to national legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Mark Takano, D-California