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Bill

HD 977

An Act to implement a 4 day work week in the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Erika Uyterhoeven

Massachusetts bill proposing mandatory four-day work weeks at current full-time wages, raising concerns about employer costs, competitiveness, and sector-specific feasibility.

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Bill Summary · HD 977

Legislative bill overview

HD 977 proposes implementing a four-day work week in Massachusetts, reducing the standard full-time work week from five days to four days while maintaining current wage and benefit levels. The bill aims to compress standard working hours into a shorter timeframe without reducing employee compensation or benefits eligibility.

Why is this important

A four-day work week represents a significant structural change to labor standards that could affect millions of workers, employers, and the broader economy. The policy raises questions about productivity, work-life balance, business competitiveness, and whether Massachusetts would maintain an advantage or disadvantage relative to other states with traditional five-day work weeks.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: Employers may face increased operational costs, scheduling complexity, and potential productivity losses if not offset by efficiency gains
  • Economic competitiveness: Massachusetts businesses might face disadvantages competing with companies in other states operating on traditional schedules, potentially affecting recruitment and client services
  • Industry variation: Different sectors (healthcare, retail, manufacturing, services) have vastly different operational requirements and may struggle equally with uniform four-day mandates
  • Small business impact: Small employers with limited staff may face disproportionate challenges compared to large corporations with greater flexibility in restructuring operations
  • Unintended consequences: Potential shifts to gig work, contractor arrangements, or automation as businesses adapt to cost pressures

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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