Establishes a four-day workweek pilot program for state employees; requires the division of the budget and the state department of civil service to identify state agencies or other jobs in the performance of any function of state government for which a four-day workweek is feasible and beneficial for at least sixty percent of state employees employed in such agency or job in the performance of such function of state government, and to implement a four-day workweek for such state employees.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5423
SPONSOR: Forrest TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to establishing a
four-day workweek pilot program for state employees
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this legislation is to establish a four-day workweek
pilot program for state employees to assess the feasibility and benefits
of a shortened workweek while maintaining work hours and pay.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 Amends the civil service law by adding a new section 159-e,
establishing a four-day workweek pilot program.
Section 2 Sets the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The modern workforce has been steadily evolving, and a growing body of
research indicates that shorter workweeks can improve employee produc-
tivity, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. This pilot program
provides the state of New York with the opportunity to assess these
potential benefits in a controlled manner for its public employees. Not
only can a reduced workweek foster a healthier work-life balance, but it
may also help to retain talented state employees and reduce vacancy
rates in key agencies.
Countries such as Iceland and companies across the United States have
reported positive outcomes from four-day workweek trials, including
increased employee retention, lower rates of absenteeism, and improved
mental health. By implementing a pilot program, New York can lead by
example and set the foundation for a more efficient and satisfied work-
force. The inclusion of bargaining representatives in negotiations
ensures that the rights of unionized workers are fully respected, and
that any transition will be equitable and well-considered.
The resulting analysis will offer valuable insights into the long-term
feasibility of this initiative, making New York a potential leader in
labor innovation within the public sector.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There will be initial administrative costs related to identifying eligi-
ble state agencies and functions, as well as implementing the pilot.
However, these costs are expected to be offset by potential improvements
in employee retention and reduced absenteeism, which may lead to long-
term savings.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on October 1, 2025.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5423
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 14, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. FORREST -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Employees
AN ACT to amend the civil service law, in relation to establishing a
four-day workweek pilot program for state employees
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The civil service law is amended by adding a new section
2 159-e to read as follows:
3 § 159-e. Four-day workweek pilot program. 1. On or before October
4 first, two thousand twenty-seven, the division of the budget, in cooper-
5 ation with the department, shall identify state agencies or other jobs
6 in the performance of any function of state government for which a four-
7 day workweek is feasible and beneficial for at least sixty percent of
8 state employees employed by such state agency or employed in the
9 performance of such function of state government.
10 2. The division of the budget and the department shall:
11 (a) subject to paragraph (b) of this subdivision, on or before October
12 first, two thousand twenty-nine, complete the implementation of a four-
13 day workweek for state employees employed in the state agencies or in
14 the jobs in the performance of a function of state government identified
15 pursuant to subdivision one of this section; and
16 (b) if such state employees for whom a four-day workweek will be
17 implemented under paragraph (a) of this subdivision are in a bargaining
18 unit represented by an exclusive representative, before implementation:
19 (i) negotiate the transition of such employees in such bargaining unit
20 to a four-day workweek; and
21 (ii) complete a signed agreement with such exclusive representative
22 that establishes the requirements of such four-day workweek for such
23 employees in such bargaining unit.
24 3. An employee who transitions to a four-day workweek pursuant to this
25 section may not, as a direct result of such transition:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07376-01-5
A. 5423 2
1 (a) have work hours reduced to less than thirty-six hours of work each
2 week; or
3 (b) receive a reduction in pay or benefits.
4 4. On or before October first, two thousand thirty, the division of
5 the budget and the department shall submit a report to the governor and
6 the legislature on the implementation of a four-day workweek pursuant to
7 this section, which shall include:
8 (a) the status of such implementation;
9 (b) the impact of such implementation on:
10 (i) vacancy rates; and
11 (ii) the budgets of the affected state agencies; and
12 (c) any other relevant information as determined by the division of
13 the budget and the department.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2026.
