Number: 96-570 Title: Federal Regulation of Working Hours: An Overview Through the 105th Congress Authors: William G. Whittaker, Domestic Social Policy Division Abstract: Through nearly two centuries, American workers and their employers have been concerned with the structure and regulation of workhours. Early humane concerns gave way, during the 1920s and 1930s, to economic factors: i.e., spreading available work to the jobless. Since the 1960s, attention has focused upon alternative work patterns: an effort to balance work with family responsibilities and other concerns. This report presents a brief introduction to the workhours issue and then traces the legislative history of this question through the 104th and 105th Congresses. Pages: 60 Date: Updated May 24, 1999