New legislation recently introduced in the Washington State
Legislature seeks to implement a 32-hour workweek for nonexempt
Washington-based workers. If the proposal were to become law,
employers would be required to pay overtime compensation to
nonexempt employees whose workweeks exceed 32 hours.
Senate Bill (SB) 6516 proposes to amend RCW 49.46.130, the Washington law that
establishes a 40-hour workweek in the state. Because the proposal
would amend but not replace the existing law, the current
exemptions would remain applicable—and none have been amended
by the proposed bill. Instead, the bill's proposed changes
merely—but monumentally—revise the references in RCW
49.46.130 from a 40-hour workweek to a 32-hour workweek.
