Bill > A05454

This bill establishes the New York Smart Work Week Pilot Program, which aims to promote and study the implementation of a four-day work week across various employers in the state. The program will allow qualifying employers to transition at least 30 employees to a four-day work week while maintaining full pay and benefits. Employers will apply to participate, and the state will select a diverse group of businesses, including veteran-, women-, and minority-owned enterprises, with a focus on studying the economic and social impacts of reduced work hours. Participants must agree to comprehensive data collection, including employee surveys and interviews, and will be required to submit detailed reports about their experience. The program will run for at least two years, with the state department publishing annual and final reports to the governor and legislature. As an incentive, qualifying private sector employers can receive tax credits of up to $250,000 per employer or $5,000 per participating employee, with a total annual credit cap of $15 million. The bill, also known as the "FREE TIME Act" (Four-day Reduced Employment and Wellness for Time Improvement and Managed Efficiency), is designed to explore potential benefits of a shortened work week on employee well-being, productivity, and economic performance.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5454