What if you could work four days a week instead of five — and maybe make the same amount of money while you’re at it? The idea may not be as implausible as it sounds. Evidence is mounting that the four-day week improves employees’ lives while also offering real advantages for companies that adopt it.
Now, amid the broader reimagining of work-life balance prompted by the pandemic, some Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing for state government to take an active role in making the four-day work week a reality. Adam Reilly is joined by state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, who has filed a bill that would require employers to pay overtime after workers tally 32 hours, and Juliet Schor, a Boston College professor who’s been studying and advocating for a four-day work week for years. They discuss the case for dropping that fifth day, the cultural trends that could bolster the case for change, and the political prospects of the aforementioned legislation.
Could you do your job in four days instead of five? Send us a message at TalkingPolitics@wgbh.org, or share your thoughts via the Talking Politics page.
You can watch the discussion below right now, or catch the full show at 7 p.m. on GBH 2. Subscribe to the GBH News’ YouTube channel to get alerted to future segments.
