Today MCI takes a closer look at the working week as we celebrate the invention of the 5 day working week courtesy of Henry Ford this day in 1926. If you hate Mondays, think back to the turn of the 20th century when there wasn’t a weekend off. Henry Ford believed that the introduction of a five day week without reduction of pay would increase productivity and solve the unrest felt in the general US workforce at the time.
Women were campaigning for a 52 hour week in 1909! At the time that Henry Ford introduced the new working system, many industrialists were shocked by the thought of such an innovative idea. It became clear over time that the five day working week yielded similar output in Ford’s factory as working the extra time. He also introduced a minimum wage of 5 dollars for an 8 hour day. This combination developed more company loyalty and happier employees generally.
This method of working has now been adopted by most companies in the world. So, if you enjoyed your weekend, please remember Henry Ford’s contribution to it.