{"id":2391190,"date":"2025-01-16T12:59:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T17:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/progressive-capitol-hill-staffers-push-for-a-lighter-32-hour-workweek-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-16T13:00:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T18:00:29","slug":"progressive-capitol-hill-staffers-push-for-a-lighter-32-hour-workweek-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/progressive-capitol-hill-staffers-push-for-a-lighter-32-hour-workweek-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Progressive Capitol Hill staffers push for a lighter 32-hour workweek &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fprogressive-capitol-hill-staffers-push-for-a-lighter-32-hour-workweek-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2391190&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Progressive staffers \u200don Capitol Hill have\u2063 written a letter to congressional leadership \u2062advocating for \u200ba 32-hour workweek. They argue \u2063that such a change would help\u200d improve staff retention,reduce burnout,and \u2062serve \u2064as a national model for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chair-of-psychology-department-at-columbia-pens-book-about-taking-heroin-ecstasy-meth-bath-salts\/\" title=\"Chair Of Psychology Department At Columbia Pens Book About Taking Heroin, Ecstasy, Meth, Bath Salts\">work-life balance<\/a>. The letter, sent by the Congressional Progressive staff Association, \u2062highlights the demanding nature \u2064of staffers&#8217;\u2063 roles, which often <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/you-can-squeeze-in-a-great-workout-in-the-middle-of-your-workday\/\" title=\"You Can Squeeze in a Great Workout in the Middle of Your Workday\">requires long hours<\/a> and intense workloads, leading to stress and frequent turnover.<\/p>\n<p>The association, which formed in 2021 and has over 1,500 members, previously successfully lobbied for \u200da $45,000 salary floor and\u2063 the right to unionize for Capitol hill employees. In their letter, the staffers suggested that a shorter workweek would not only make \u2064positions more appealing but also increase the effectiveness and efficiency of legislative\u200b work by promoting \u2063longer tenures among staff.<\/p>\n<p>While individual members of Congress determine their office policies, the proposal for a 32-hour workweek represents \u200da important shift towards addressing employee well-being\u200d and \u2064maintaining a enduring work \u200bsurroundings on Capitol\u2064 Hill.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Progressive Capitol Hill staffers push for a lighter 32-hour workweek<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1937354\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/progressives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Progressive<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The Congressional Progressive Staff Association said the role of a congressional staffer can be &ldquo;demanding and intensive,&rdquo; according to a copy of the letter obtained by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> and sent to House Speaker <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-johnson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Mike Johnson<\/a> (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD), House Minority Leader <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hakeem-jeffries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Hakeem Jeffries<\/a> (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY), and &ldquo;all members&rdquo; of the 119th Congress.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3259347\/house-republican-refocus-jan-6-investigations-problems-capitol-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>HOUSE REPUBLICAN LOOKS TO REFOCUS JAN. 6 INQUIRIES ON CAPITOL SECURITY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; the association wrote. &ldquo;Staffers routinely work long hours at a level of rigor that regularly leads to burnout.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>In the letter, the association argued intensive work can lead to staffers seeking new positions &ldquo;earlier than they would in a more predictable and sustainable work environment.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; the progressive staffers wrote.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3260020\/fetterman-embraces-trump-term-biden-exits-democratic-party\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>FETTERMAN EMBRACES SECOND TRUMP TERM AS BIDEN LEAVES OFFICE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>But the association claims a 32-hour work week would boost job satisfaction, sharing a study from a four<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">-day work week pilot study<\/a> in the United Kingdom. The study found a 35% increase in revenue for participating companies and 70% of workers reporting less burnout.<\/p>\n<p>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&rsquo; pay and benefits. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced similar legislation in the House <a href=\"https:\/\/takano.house.gov\/newsroom\/press-releases\/rep-takanos-thirty-two-hour-workweek-act-gains-senate-companion-bill-introduced-by-sen-sanders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">last Congress<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Working 32 hours, employees have a more substantial reprieve from work and therefore are able to complete the same tasks in less time,&rdquo; the Congressional Progressive Staff Association wrote.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; the staffers wrote.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RitchieTorres\/status\/1879883272236458042?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">post<\/a> to X.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Republicans like Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) argued a 32-work was fine &mdash; if staffers were willing to cut their salaries.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Progressives should hop in. Easy place to cut 20%+,&rdquo; Roy <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/chiproytx\/status\/1879894381899223371\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">wrote<\/a> on X, tagging Department of Government Efficiency co-chairman Elon Musk.<\/p>\n<p>Read more of the letter below:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-scribd wp-block-embed-scribd wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"CPSA Jan. 15, 2025, letter to congressional leaders\" class=\"scribd_iframe_embed\" src=\"https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/embeds\/816564583\/content\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.7729220222793488\" scrolling=\"no\" id=\"816564583\" width=\"696\" height=\"1000\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">          (function() { var scribd=document.createElement(\"script\"); scribd.type=\"text\/javascript\"; scribd.async=true; scribd.src=\"https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/javascripts\/embed_code\/inject.js\"; var s=document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })()        <\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1937354\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1937354\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Progressive Capitol Hill staffers advocate for a 32-hour workweek<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2391191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24114743827451-1024x591.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32592,37654,38399,3629,15631],"class_list":["post-2391190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-capitol-hill","tag-labor-rights","tag-policy-change","tag-progressive","tag-workweek"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24114743827451-1024x591.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2391190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2391190"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2391190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2391194,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2391190\/revisions\/2391194"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2391191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2391190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2391190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2391190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}