A Needed Redefinition Of “Full-Time” Work

Writing on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website, Sean Hackbarth looks at the pros and cons of changing the definition of full-time work under the Affordable Care Act from 30 to 40 hours per week, and he comes down on the side of the pros. The issue, now being taken up by Congress, is how full-time work will be defined for purposes of determining whether or not an employer (in businesses with 50 or more employees) will be required to provide health insurance. Hackbarth concludes the bench mark should be reset at 40 hours because doing so would remove an incentive for employers to cut worker hours, but in his post he also acknowledges conservatives who oppose the change.