This morning, as the alarm clock buzzed relentlessly at 7 AM, a familiar thought nudged its way into my consciousness. And, as always, there was the realization of starting yet another day. A realization of the dictatorship of the traditional workweek. The weekdays are mostly ruled by this routine of early rising. As a result, the whole week sort of gets ruled by workwork. On weekends, there's a bit of relief, so I can rise when I want to, but just for two days. This led me to ponder: why do we adhere to a five-day workweek?
Historically, the structure of our workweek was intertwined with natural light availability and the agricultural calendar. These early dependencies dictated the rhythm of work, anchoring human activity to the cycles of daylight and seasonal changes. However, the Industrial Revolution marked a significant departure from this tradition. It brought about a standardization of work hours, adapting human labor to the demands of machines and factory production lines.
Industrial landscape from a bygone era
One of the milestone moments for the process was in 1926 when the forward-thinking industrialist Henry Ford introduced the 40-hour workweek. Ford felt that he had struck the perfect balance of work versus leisure, breaking the week into five workdays of eight hours each. This model promised him efficiency for his factories and, on the other side, well-being for his employees, a concept that from then on became the bedrock of our work culture.
Yet, one might question whether this nearly century-old framework still serves us best.
Let's consider Belgium, a country that has dared to reimagine the workweek. With a 38-hour workweek that can be completed in four days, Belgians enjoy three days of leisure, challenging the conventional five-day grind. This model not only offers a glimpse into an alternative work-life balance but also prompts us to reevaluate our norms.
By allowing more continuous leisure time, employees are believed to return to work more refreshed and motivated, ultimately benefiting both the individual and the workplace.
So, as we go about our daily routines, waking up early and dedicating the majority of our week to work, it's worth revisiting the question: Why is the majority of our week devoted to working?
As we move forward, it's essential to consider the historical roots of our workweek, the changes it has undergone, and the possibilities that lie in reimagining its structure. Could a shift towards a model like Belgium's redefine our understanding of productivity and leisure? Perhaps it's time to contemplate a new balance, one that aligns more closely with our aspirations for a fulfilling life both inside and outside the workplace.