Need another example of the four-day workweek? I’ve got a good one.
Some workers in Maryland may end up with the new schedule if the General Assembly gives the green light to a bill that creates a pilot program offering incentives to companies that cut the workweek from 40 to 32 hours — without reducing salaries. The Maryland bill will get its first hearing in the Senate early next month. The lead bill sponsors in the House said the bill had garnered a lot of attention in Annapolis from lawmakers and lobbyists — some of whom expressed their clients would be interested in offering a shorter workweek. Whether the bill is passed is still uncertain.
Along with administering the program, the state Department of Labor would encourage participation and gather data about their experience. The bill proposes spending a total of $750,000 in tax credits annually. It also calls for the governor to allocate $250,000 for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to the Department of Labor to administer and publicize the program.
Why do we care?
Paying businesses to try the model out is certainly one way to reduce any possible risk. That’s why it’s an incentive. Any Maryland based companies should be watching this one, and those in the other 49 should consider whether a call to your representative is worth it.
This trend is growing step by step. Business owners don’t need an incentive to run their own pilot, of course.