workweek

The concept of the workweek has evolved significantly over time. Historically, work schedules were dictated by demand, seasons, and daylight. The Industrial Revolution brought about the factory system, where employers set working hours, often leading to exploitation with 12-16 hour days.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of unions advocating for shorter hours, leading to the establishment of the eight-hour day and the 48-hour week. By the mid-20th century, the 40-hour, five-day workweek became standard in many industrialized nations, codified by legislation like the Fair Labor Standards Act in the United States. Recent trends, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have spurred discussions and experiments with shorter workweeks, such as the four-day week, aiming for better work-life balance and efficiency.12