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How did the 40-hour workweek become a legal standard in many countries?

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The Code of Hammurabi diorite stela, with carved figures at the top showing Hammurabi seated with cuneiform inscriptions below. — Labour law Diorite stela inscribed with the Code of Hammurabi, 18th century bce.

The establishment of the 40-hour workweek as a legal standard resulted from decades of advocacy by trade unions, shifting economic conditions, and government intervention.1

Initially, the movement for shorter hours faced significant employer resistance, but it gained momentum as technical progress increased labor productivity, reducing the necessity for long hours. Following the 48-hour week standard established in many nations during the 1920s, the 1930s introduced the concept of sharing employment opportunities among more workers.1

Key legislative milestones included:
* United States: The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 mandated overtime pay for work exceeding 40 hours per week.1
* France: The Popular Front government established the 40-hour week in 1936.1
* Global Adoption: Australia reached this standard by 1948, Canada by the early 1960s, and most European countries by the 1970s.1

Today, fixing maximum working hours via statute or collective agreement is a general practice in labour law, often incorporating provisions for overtime compensation and exceptions for specific industries.12