Trade Groups Join Forces in 'More Time for Full-Time' Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Several associations are pushing to restore the traditional work week definition to 40 hours, not the 30 hours included in the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The "More Time for Full-Time" initiative aims to highlight the negative impact that the 30-hour work week definition in the ACA has on employees and employers, and urges Congress to restore the traditional definition of a full-time employee to 40 hours per week through bipartisan reform.

Returning to a traditional 40-hour definition would benefit employees through more hours and income, while employers would gain the ability to focus on growth and expansion instead of restructuring their workforce, according to the associations.

The initiative includes NACS, the Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing; the National Retail Federation (NRF); National Grocers Association; National Restaurant Association; International Franchise Association; and numerous other trade groups.

The launch of More Time for Full-Time includes a video, which will be featured on the new website, www.moretimeforfulltime.org, which highlights the challenges workers and employers face as a result of the 30-hour work week definition.

"The retail industry is committed to the smooth implementation of the Affordable Care Act," said Neil Trautwein, vice president of health policy at NRF. "However for the health care law to work effectively, practical and necessary modifications need to occur — including readjusting the law's definition of what constitutes a full-time worker back to 40 hours a week.

"Returning to the industry standard of 40 hours would benefit employers and employees alike and lessen the burden Obamacare places on businesses and the economy," he continued. "The retail community supports the bipartisan work of the 'More Time for Full-Time' initiative and looks forward to working with the administration and Congress to make this change a reality."