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APA Comments on 32-Hour Workweek Bill

Written by Mike Linehan | Dec 22, 2021 3:00:00 PM

The APA Government Relations Task Force Federal Issues Subcommittee wrote to the House Committee on Education and Labor in November to oppose a bill proposing to change the workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours before overtime pay is required.

“The APA supports resolution of the problems of unfair wages, employee burnout, and work-life imbalance expressed through the introduction of H.R. 4728, Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, but believes the reduction in hours before overtime pay is required will not resolve those issues,” APA said.

32-Hour Workweek May Not Have Intended Effects

The APA said workweek hours should be considered in the context of the employment package offered to employees, including wages and benefits, and not just by when overtime is required. A reduction in Fair Labor Standards Act workweek hours, as proposed in H.R. 4728, does not guarantee that an employee’s gross pay will increase or that a second employee will be hired without impacting the existing employee’s employment package. If employers avoid offering overtime, reduced hours would result in employees receiving less pay, as H.R. 4728 does not ensure that this employee will work 40 hours and receive overtime for the eight hours.

The APA also described the administrative burden on payroll professionals that would result from the implementation date of just 180 days after enactment, which is insufficient time to adjust payroll management systems.

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Mike Linehan is the Assistant Manager of Government Relations for the APA.