Labor costs will rise with 4-day workweek proposal, former McDonald's USA CEO warns
Government ‘doesn’t understand’ law of ‘unintended consequences,’ Ed Rensi stresses
Former McDonald's USA CEO Ed Rensi reacts to California lawmakers proposing a 4-day work week.
Former McDonald's USA CEO Ed Rensi slammed California’s proposal for a four-day workweek, arguing that labor costs will rise if the legislation passes.
The California State Legislature’s proposal would lower the official workweek to 32 hours over four days – anything over that would be considered overtime for employees. This law would apply to companies with more than 500 employees.
Rensi warned the four-day workweek proposal will result in "unintended consequences" and stressed the government "doesn’t understand" the law.
CEO WHO FLED CALIFORNIA FOR TEXAS RIPS 'RIDICULOUS' PROPOSAL FOR FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK
"California has always been on the leading edge of smart things and dumb things," he told "Cavuto: Coast to Coast," Thursday.
Former McDonald's USA CEO Ed Rensi argues the government ‘doesn’t understand’ the law of ‘unintended consequences’ with a 4-day work week proposal.
"We got 12 million unfilled jobs in the United States right now that we can't recruit for. Restaurants are desperately trying to hire people and can't find them anywhere … You put this kind of [law] in place, you're really paying a lot of people overtime."
Rensi added that the four-day workweek proposal may compromise workers’ health and their well-being. The legislation will "allow people to get two jobs, because they can work three days in one place…three days in another place."
CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS CALL FOR 4-DAY WORK WEEK WITH NEW BILL
"I’ve got mixed feelings about it," Rensi noted.
"I want our workers to have a good quality of life, have enough money to support themselves and their families…put their kids through college."
Former McDonald's USA CEO Ed Rensi warned that 4-day work week proposal will have ‘unintended consequences.’ (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File ) (AP Photo/Matt Rourke / AP Newsroom)
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to struggle with labor and supply chain concerns, as businesses continue to reel from the financial repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic.
In January, Biden raised the minimum wage for federal contractors to $15 an hour. Rensi mentioned the president’s policies will cause businesses to make less money since additional costs – such as labor and commodities -- aren’t factored in with the four-day workweek proposal legislation.
The former McDonald’s USA CEO added that the proposed California law "needs more study" and Americans "don't know enough" about the impact or consequences of the legislation.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
"We need to understand these things as citizens and start thinking rationally about what's the best for the overall good of the country," Rensi concluded.