The Island representative at the Massachusetts State House is behind an effort to consider a four-day workweek.
Rep. Dylan Fernandes, a Democrat from Falmouth, teamed up with Duxbury Rep. Josh Cutler to file legislation that would set up a pilot program looking at the benefits of a three-day weekend.
“As we work to make Massachusetts a premier destination for businesses and workers, we must prioritize workforce health and happiness,” Rep. Fernandes is quoted in a press release sent by his office. “By creating more time for family, friends, and leisure through a three-day weekend, we can attract and retain top talent, boost productivity, and promote a dynamic and innovative economy that benefits all residents.”
The press release states that the voluntary program would allow businesses to transition employees to a reduced work schedule without an overall reduction in pay. Participating employers would agree to regular reporting to help study the effects of the transition, and in return could qualify for a tax credit.
This legislation would create a two-year pilot program, called the Massachusetts Smart Workweek Pilot, which would be overseen by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The program would accept applications from employers across Massachusetts to participate in the study. The release states that priority would be given to ensure that qualifying employers hail from a diverse size, occupation, industry sector, and geographical location, and include participation of veteran-, women-, and minority-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with disabilities.
“In this era of tight labor markets, we need to get creative to keep our economy growing,” Rep. Cutler is quoted in the release. Cutler serves as House chairman of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. “This bill creates new incentives for Massachusetts businesses to explore shifting to a four-day workweek, which can offer a myriad of benefits, including boosting worker satisfaction and productivity, and reducing absenteeism and commuting time.”
Participating employers would agree to reduce the hours of all or some of their employees without reducing overall pay, status, or benefits. Businesses will also be eligible for a tax credit for their participation in the study and necessary data collection.
“Is the four-day week really the success story for employees, companies, and the climate that research to date suggests? This innovative and well-designed program will answer that question, and put Massachusetts in the forefront of a long-overdue change in how we work,” Juliet Schor, economist and professor of sociology at Boston College, is quoted in the release.
Kudos to Dylan for doubling his work week to 4 days! For someone who has never had a real job this is a big step forward ! And to reduce working hours and at the same time fighting climate change , wow! We are so lucky to have you ! Keep up the good fight or take a nap , whichever works best for you.
Why only one day? Stop working for all 5 days to save the planet and get a tax subsidy for businesses.
The world has lost its collective mind. Work less and maintain the same level of compensation and benefits. We have created a generation of morons.
Someone needs to run against this guy who is out of touch with the real world. Next he will want to lower the retirement age to 62 like France oh wait that has not worked out for France and they have moved it up to 64. And with that the French have had a melt down. There is no free lunch except for people who live off the taxpayer like Dylan and those who pay no taxes they really do have a free lunch. I am still working and wrote my check yesterday to both my Uncles and it was not easy. Same income as last year but had to pay thousands more because of the giveaways by the politicians.
In the “real world” because of automation and technology the same amount of productivity can be accomplished in less time. And 40 hours can also be accomplished in 4 days instead of 5 (math). And this is a totally voluntary pilot program. Did you stop at the headline and not read the whole article?
Bob — sorry to call you out on this one, but you deserve it.
If you claim you made the same income as least year, but paid thousands more in taxes I am going to state that, in my opinion, you are uttering a falsehood.
But I will give you some slack and suggest that if you changed accountants, your statement could possibly have some degree of truth to it .But there has been no change in federal tax brackets since 2018. Clearly, your statement that it is because of “giveaways by the politicians” has no basis in reality.
https://www.dontmesswithtaxes.com/tax-brackets-tax-rates-through-the-years.html
By the way, I sent my uncles checks also– about the same income– about the same size checks as last year.
But I don’t mind, because I think my taxes contribute to the civilization that I live within.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-four-day-workweek-reduces-stress-without-hurting-productivity/
Let me put a little of this into perspective.
For millennia, our ancestors worked from sunrise to sunset in order to get enough food so their kids didn’t starve to death.
Then we developed the feudal system, under which most of our ancestors worked from sunrise to sunset so a few wealthy people could live in relatie luxury and their kids wouldn’t be slaughtered by marauding gangs of heathens.
Then we get into the industrial revolution, where technology had improved to the point most or our ancestors worked 60- 100 hour weeks so some the robber barons could live in truly luxury and build public works projects with their names on them. Most people started their careers at the age of 12, and worked until they died.
In 1886 the Illinois legislature passed a law establishing an 8 hour work day. Industry refused to comply. It resulted in strikes, riots, and the Haymarket riot and bombing.
In 1911 the Triangle shirtwaist fire prompet safety regulations– Industry resisted of course, as their extravagant wealth was jeopardized.
The U.S passed the 40 hour work week in 1926.
https://www.cultureamp.com/blog/40-hour-work-week#:~:text=1926%3A%20Henry%20Ford%20popularized%20the,a%20short%20period%20of%20time.https://www.cultureamp.com/blog/40-hour-work-week#:~:text=1926%3A%20Henry%20Ford%20popularized%20the,a%20short%20period%20of%20time.
Today, we have the technology to reduce the amount of labor needed for most of us to live in a time of prosperity that our ancestors could never imagine.
But now we have billionaires who are the main beneficiaries of our advanced technology and have massive estates, yachts and private jets.
And just what is the ultimate goal for humanity ? Should the masses always struggle to support the lifestyle of the few ?
We have the technology to reduce our workload and live our lives with more time for our families and to pursue whatever we desire in our leisure time.
And anyone who wants to work more certainly can.
Is that so bad ?
The masses today are substantially better off than they were 100 years ago. some people just like to hear themselves talk.
andy– of course they are better off than they were 100 years ago. I think I made that quite clear. But I also made it quite clear that life for the average working person could be much better than it is.
My point is pointing out wealth disparity.
Wealthy people who like to hear themselves talk will say anything to try to hold onto that wealth.
The narrative that the working class is obligated to work is absurd.
To state that anyone who doesn’t want to work 40 hours a week is lazy and getting some kind of government handout is not only a lie on its face, but a subtle disinformation campaign to place blame and guilt on the hard working Americans and immigrants that have made this country great.
Yup, andy– some people like to hear themselves talk alright. Some people like to advocate for a better life for working class people.