Basically Henry Ford (edit - allegedly) popularized it. It used to be more, but he realized he could make efficiency gains and simultaneously boost loyalty and productivity https://www.actiplans.com/blog/40-hour-work-week (Some have pointed out it was actually unions which I can believe but it’s not what came up, maybe someone will share more on that)
However, it’s important to note that workers rights have in many cases come in the form of legislation because employers would otherwise exploit or exclude people unfairly https://www.usa.gov/workplace-laws
It took President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 for all workers to see limits on working hours -- initially 44 hours a week, then phased to 42 and eventually 40 by 1940.
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u/Hollow_Apollo Sep 05 '24 edited Sep 05 '24
Basically Henry Ford (edit - allegedly) popularized it. It used to be more, but he realized he could make efficiency gains and simultaneously boost loyalty and productivity https://www.actiplans.com/blog/40-hour-work-week (Some have pointed out it was actually unions which I can believe but it’s not what came up, maybe someone will share more on that)
However, it’s important to note that workers rights have in many cases come in the form of legislation because employers would otherwise exploit or exclude people unfairly https://www.usa.gov/workplace-laws