Finding More Hours in the Work Week

By: Robert Rosado, Director of Government Relations, Food Marketing Institute 

“Lost time is never found again.” --Ben Franklin

The same could be true for lost hours that translate into lost wages and lost customer service.

Employers are now required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to categorize employees into those working above or below 30-hours per week.  This change impacts part-time and other workers who value flexible hours the most because store managers need to minimize unintended tax penalties caused by part-time employees picking up or trading hours over periods of time. 

FMI continues to support efforts in Congress to restore the definition of a full-time grocery employee to one whose workweek is comprised of a level of hours significantly above 30 hours per week in order to offer employers and their associates the flexibility needed to meet their mutual goals.  Analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office and from anecdotal data provided by FMI members indicates returning to a more practical definition of “full-time” has minimal impact on health coverage, but puts more money into workers’ pockets through more hours and more wages. 

Last week, the House of Representatives took a positive step by passing a bill which supports a workweek that approaches 40 hours.  This legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration by policymakers looking for constituent examples of whether a 30-hour “full-time” workweek is impacting their state workforce. FMI will continue to keep our members informed as this legislation makes its way through Congress. If you have any questions, please contact us at rrosado@fmi.org.