Happy Labor Day 2023!
Happy Labor Day 2023! This day serves as an annual commemoration of the labor movement’s contributions to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Importantly, it’s a time to reflect on significant milestones that have shaped our current work environment. The journey to secure workers’ rights has been long, and many of the benefits we enjoy today are a direct result of decades of activism, advocacy, and sometimes, upheaval. 40-Hour Workweek The concept of a 40-hour workweek is largely credited to the labor movement, which campaigned for shorter work hours to replace the grueling schedules that were commonplace during the Industrial Revolution. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) finally established the five-day, 40-hour workweek, among other labor protections. Prior to this, it was not uncommon for workers, including children, to work 12-16 hour days, six days a week. Henry Ford was among the first industrialists to adopt a five-day, 40-hour workweek, but it...