Cedar Rapids Firm Offered 32-Hour Workweek Option
Structural Design Group now lets employees choose shorter hours in a move that mirrors national policy discussions.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Remote Work
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The Cedar Rapids engineering firm Structural Design Group has introduced a flexible scheduling policy, allowing staff to choose between a 32-hour and 40-hour workweek. This local initiative arrives as federal lawmakers consider legislation that would mandate a nationwide 32-hour workweek standard.
Why it matters
The company introduced the 32-hour option to assist with employee recruitment and offer lifestyle flexibility. Simultaneously, federal sponsors are pushing for the shorter workweek to become a national standard to modernize labor practices.
Employees at Structural Design Group can opt for a 32-hour workweek, though choosing this path results in an approximate 20% reduction in pay. The proposed federal legislation aims to establish this shorter schedule while maintaining full pay and benefits.
The players
Structural Design Group
An engineering firm based in Cedar Rapids that was established by Dave Rasmussen.
Dave Rasmussen
The founder who started Structural Design Group in 2019.
The details
Structural Design Group provides this flexibility to balance recruitment goals with staff lifestyle needs. In contrast, the pending federal bill proposes a phased transition that would take four years to reach full implementation.
Timeline
2019: Dave Rasmussen founded Structural Design Group.
Over four years: The proposed federal bill would phase in the 32-hour workweek standard.
Market Landscape
This move reflects a growing tension between traditional labor models and modern recruitment strategies. It mirrors a broader legislative trend aimed at reevaluating the 40-hour workweek standard set by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Employees at the firm must weigh the benefits of increased personal time against the practical reality of a 20% pay reduction. For the broader public, the proposed federal bill represents a potential long-term change to national labor laws that would preserve current salary levels.
The takeaway
The move by this local firm highlights how private businesses are experimenting with hours to attract talent while legislative bodies debate standardized changes. Readers should monitor whether such flexibility becomes a competitive necessity in their local job market.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of professional scheduling in the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kcrg.
Live Poll
Would you choose a 32-hour workweek if it meant receiving 20% less pay?
