1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to protect workers in our rapidly evolving startup ecosystem. The current debate over seven-day work weeks in startups has highlighted the urgent need for legislative intervention to safeguard employee well-being and promote sustainable business practices. Research has consistently shown that productivity diminishes significantly after 50-55 hours of work per week. Moreover, extended work hours pose serious health risks to employees. Despite this evidence, some startup cultures continue to glorify round-the-clock work, jeopardizing both individual health and long-term business success. I strongly advocate for two critical measures: 1. Ban seven-day workweeks across all industries, with a particular focus on startups and tech companies. 2. Establish a threshold of 45 hours per week, beyond which all additional hours must be compensated as overtime, regardless of an employee's salaried status. These measures would address the toxic work cultures prevalent in many startups, which often lead to high turnover rates, founder burnout, and unsustainable business models. By implementing these protections, we can foster a more balanced and productive work environment that benefits both employees and employers. The future of our economy depends on innovative startups, but not at the cost of worker exploitation. Many forward-thinking companies are already adopting alternative high-velocity work models, such as four-day work weeks and flexible schedules, proving that success and employee well-being can coexist. I urge you to champion this cause and introduce legislation that will set a new standard for work-life balance in the startup ecosystem. This action will not only protect our workforce but also ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of our innovation sector. The time to act is now, before the culture of overwork becomes further entrenched in our business landscape.