In a city known for its hustle culture, NYC doesn’t seem the type to operate on a four-day workweek—but boy, could we use the break! If not for rest, then to tend to our other side jobs or passion projects. And finally, two new bills introduced earlier this year could pave the way for a four-day workweek.
Assembly Bill A5454 and Assembly Bill A5423 are currently in Committee to bring NYC one step closer to a 4-day workweek for both state and private employees. NYC previously launched a 4-day workweek pilot program for eligible DC 37 employees after seeing successful trials around the world. Now, the shorter workweek, with equal pay, may be in the cards for more working New Yorkers.
Assembly Bill A5454 addresses private employees, and would create the New York Smart Week Pilot Program. According to the bill, this program would “promote, incentivize and support the use of a four-day work week by qualifying employers and to study the benefits and impacts of such work arrangements on participating employees and employers.”
Meanwhile, Assembly Bill A5423 would be for state employees, establishing another four-day workweek pilot program that would commence on or before October 1st, 2025. Eligible participants would be identified by the state agencies and other state government jobs in which a four-day workweek is “feasible and beneficial for at least sixty percent” of state employees.
When a bill is in committee it is subject to review before progressing further in the legislative process. Both Assembly Bill A5454 and Assembly Bill A5423 must undergo public hearings, amendments, deliberation, and committee votes before moving forward. So although there’s still quite a bit of distance to cover, NYC is one step closer to reducing to a 32-hour workweek.
The benefits of a four-day workweek have shown repeated success across the globe for a greater well-being, increased productivity and satisfaction, reduced burnout and more. Everywhere from the United Kingdom to Iceland, Australia and Japan, have all implemented a trial for the four-day workweek with positive results. For New York, we can keep crossing our fingers!