Progressive Capitol Hill staffers push for a lighter 32-hour workweek – Washington Examiner
Progressive staffers on Capitol Hill have written a letter to congressional leadership advocating for a 32-hour workweek. They argue that such a change would help improve staff retention,reduce burnout,and serve as a national model for work-life balance. The letter, sent by the Congressional Progressive staff Association, highlights the demanding nature of staffers’ roles, which often requires long hours and intense workloads, leading to stress and frequent turnover.
The association, which formed in 2021 and has over 1,500 members, previously successfully lobbied for a $45,000 salary floor and the right to unionize for Capitol hill employees. In their letter, the staffers suggested that a shorter workweek would not only make positions more appealing but also increase the effectiveness and efficiency of legislative work by promoting longer tenures among staff.
While individual members of Congress determine their office policies, the proposal for a 32-hour workweek represents a important shift towards addressing employee well-being and maintaining a enduring work surroundings on Capitol Hill.
Progressive Capitol Hill staffers push for a lighter 32-hour workweek
Progressive staffers on Capitol Hill penned a letter to congressional leadership on Thursday asking for a 32-hour week, claiming it would increase staff retention, prevent burnout, and serve as a national model.
The Congressional Progressive Staff Association said the role of a congressional staffer can be “demanding and intensive,” according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Washington Examiner and sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and “all members” of the 119th Congress.
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“Whether by drafting and analyzing legislation, meeting with impassioned advocates, communicating with constituents and the media, or smoothly administering office operations, D.C. staff are often required to manage a cascade of sensitive and challenging projects at any given time,” the association wrote. “Staffers routinely work long hours at a level of rigor that regularly leads to burnout.”
The association is an official staff organization to advance the progressive movement and advocate for Capitol Hill employees. The group formed in 2021 and currently has a membership of over 1,500.
Previously, the Congressional Progressive Staff Association considered itself instrumental in orchestrating a $45,000 salary floor for staffers and securing the right to unionize on Capitol Hill.
In the letter, the association argued intensive work can lead to staffers seeking new positions “earlier than they would in a more predictable and sustainable work environment.”
“With an abbreviated work week, Congress could make longer tenures for staff the norm, thereby making the work on the Hill more effective and efficient,” the progressive staffers wrote.
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Members of Congress typically set their office policies. Some choose to allow staffers to work remotely two days a week, while others require a strict, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. work schedule.
But the association claims a 32-hour work week would boost job satisfaction, sharing a study from a four-day work week pilot study in the United Kingdom. The study found a 35% increase in revenue for participating companies and 70% of workers reporting less burnout.
The letter comes after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation in March last year called the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, which would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 while also protecting workers’ pay and benefits. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced similar legislation in the House last Congress.
“Working 32 hours, employees have a more substantial reprieve from work and therefore are able to complete the same tasks in less time,” the Congressional Progressive Staff Association wrote.
“We hope that by adopting this policy, Members of Congress can help to advance the discussion around a more sustainable work week as a national priority and model how it can work for private and public employers across the country and the world,” the staffers wrote.
The letter has received severe backlash on social media from both sides of the aisle, including members of Congress and staffers who blasted the letter as tone-deaf and lazy.
“Why not be bold and ask for a 0-hour workweek? I wonder how blue-collar Americans would feel about white-collar workers demanding a 32-hour workweek,” Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said in a post to X.
Republicans like Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) argued a 32-work was fine — if staffers were willing to cut their salaries.
“Progressives should hop in. Easy place to cut 20%+,” Roy wrote on X, tagging Department of Government Efficiency co-chairman Elon Musk.
Read more of the letter below:
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