PRINTER'S NO. 1339
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
122
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY RABB, KHAN, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN AND
HOWARD, MAY 24, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, MAY 24, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of implementing
a four-day workweek for Commonwealth employees, making
recommendations for establishing an interagency working group
to discuss the future of work, organizational innovation and
work-life balance considerations and designing a pilot
project for implementing a four-day workweek, flexible work
schedules or telework.
WHEREAS, Union members and other labor activists in the
United States have shed blood, sweat and tears since the early
1800s fighting for workers' rights, including a shorter
workweek; and
WHEREAS, In 1874, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed
the country's first enforceable 10-hour-per-day working limit
for women; and
WHEREAS, In 1933, the United States Senate passed legislation
sponsored by future Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black by a vote
of 53 to 30 that would have, in part, implemented a 30-hour
workweek nationwide; and
WHEREAS, American workers were forced to wait another five
years before the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 became law and
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established the 40-hour workweek that we know today; and
WHEREAS, The country's labor market and people's working
lives changed significantly over the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, A recent study performed by the University of
Cambridge implemented a four-day workweek trial across 61
companies from varying industries; and
WHEREAS, Among the 2,900 workers from the 61 companies, 71%
felt less burned out, 39% felt less stressed and 48% felt more
satisfied with their job than before the trial; and
WHEREAS, Of the 61 companies that took part in the trial, 47
companies saw revenue growth, with 24 companies experiencing
revenue growth of more than 34%; and
WHEREAS, Of the 61 companies that took part in the trial, 92%
of the companies reported they would continue the four-day
workweek after the conclusion of the trial; and
WHEREAS, Legislation has been introduced in the United States
Congress to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to
require overtime pay after working 32 hours in one week; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth should explore any cost-saving
measure that has the potential to enhance the State government's
efficiency while simultaneously increasing employee
satisfaction; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth, as an employer, owes its employees
dignity, respect and the opportunity to have a successful
career; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a
comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of implementing a four-day
workweek for Commonwealth employees, making recommendations for
establishing an interagency working group to discuss the future
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of work, organizational innovation and work-life balance
considerations and designing a pilot project for implementing a
four-day workweek, flexible work schedules or telework; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
consult with the Department of General Services, the Department
of Labor and Industry, the Office of Administration, the Office
of the Budget, the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience and
the Office of Transformation and Opportunity on the
implementation of a four-day workweek or flexible work
scheduling; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
consult with at least one academic from a State-related
institution and at least one academic from the Pennsylvania
State System of Higher Education who have expertise in economics
or labor relations and who have researched or published
materials on the topic of a four-day workweek or flexible work
schedules; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
collaborate with the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience
to identify Commonwealth services that could be provided
electronically and during nontraditional hours through flexible
work schedules; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report its findings and recommendations for establishing an
interagency working group to discuss the future of work,
organizational innovation and work-life balance considerations;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report its findings and recommendations for designing a pilot
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project for implementing a four-day workweek and flexible work
schedules, including the opportunity for Commonwealth
contractors to volunteer in participating in this research to
determine the effects of a four-day workweek or flexible work
schedule in the private sector; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly
within 180 days of the adoption of this resolution.
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