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How Henry Ford Created the Weekend (+ Helped Nonprofits)

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The five-day workweek, a cornerstone of modern labor rights, has profoundly shaped how people live, work, and contribute to society. While it is often celebrated for enabling leisure and rest, a lesser-known but equally important impact is how it empowered people to engage civically, fueling some of the most significant social movements in history.

 ‘It is bound to come through all industry. Without it the country will not be able to absorb its production & stay prosperous. The industry of this country could not long exist if factories generally went back to the ten-hour day, because people would not have the leisure, the desire, or the means to consume the goods produced…Just as the eight-hour day opened our way to prosperity in America, so the five-day week will open our way to still greater prosperity.’

Henry Ford
Source: Ford News, p.2. “Mr. Ford Explains the Five-Day Week”
Date: 10/15/1926

A Timeline of the Five-Day Workweek

19th Century:

  • During the Industrial Revolution, factory workers often toiled six days a week, working 10-12 hours per day. Leisure and civic involvement were luxuries afforded only to the wealthy.

1908:

1926:

  • Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Company officially adopted a five-day, 40-hour workweek, driven by the belief that workers deserved more rest and leisure. Ford also saw this as a way to boost consumer spending, as workers with free time were more likely to purchase cars and other goods.

1938:

  • The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) formally established the 40-hour workweek in the United States. This marked a turning point, giving millions of workers the freedom of a two-day weekend.

Post-WWII Era:

  • The five-day workweek became standard in many countries. Workers increasingly used their weekends not only for leisure but also to engage in community and civic activities.

2025: Era of the 4-day workweek?

From Leisure to Civic Engagement

The shift from grueling six-day schedules to the five-day workweek didn’t just grant workers rest; it gave them time to participate in democracy, organize for rights, and advocate for social change. Here are just some of the positive societal impacts this extra time provided.

Civil Rights Movement: A Case Study in Civic Engagement

One of the most profound examples of weekend civic engagement is the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Key events were strategically scheduled on weekends to maximize participation:

  • Selma to Montgomery Marches (1965): The first of these iconic marches, “Bloody Sunday,” took place on Sunday, March 7. By holding events on weekends, organizers enabled working-class individuals to join the fight for equality.
  • Weekend Planning and Organizing: Churches, a central hub for civil rights activities, used Sundays to mobilize communities and plan protests.

Labor Movements

Yeah, {insert irony here}, Labor unions also leveraged weekends to rally support much to the chagrin of Henry Ford. Freed from work, workers organized protests, strikes, and educational meetings that laid the groundwork for further labor reforms. This included the long battles between the UAW and Ford Motor Co..

Women’s Suffrage

The women’s suffrage movement used weekends to hold rallies, marches, and speeches. For example, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton often organized gatherings on Saturdays to attract larger crowds.

Volunteering and Community Building

Beyond organized movements, the five-day workweek gave rise to a culture of volunteering and community service:

  • 1930s and 1940s: With the advent of free weekends, organizations like the American Red Cross and local civic groups saw a surge in volunteers.
  • 1960s: The establishment of programs like Peace Corps (1961) and later AmeriCorps (1993) thrived as people increasingly dedicated their free time to meaningful causes.

Current Momentum: Global Shifts Toward a Four-Day Week & Potential for Nonprofits

Recent developments in major economies are providing concrete evidence that the four-day workweek isn’t just theoretical. The Tokyo metropolitan government’s groundbreaking announcement in December 2023 offers a compelling case study in how this shift can address multiple social challenges:

Government Leadership in Action

Data-Driven Results Recent global trials by 4 Day Week Global (2022) showed remarkable outcomes:

  • 90%+ of participating employees wanted to continue the shortened week
    • Significant improvements in:
      • Physical and mental health
      • Work-life balance
      • Overall life satisfaction
      • Reduced stress and burnout
    • Average participant satisfaction rating: 9.1/10

Implications and potential for nonprofits

  1. Increased Volunteer Potential
    • More available hours for community engagement
    • Better-rested, more energized volunteers
    • Greater capacity for both in-person and digital volunteering
  2. Digital Transformation Opportunities
    • Need for enhanced volunteer management systems
    • Opportunity to implement AI-driven scheduling tools
    • Potential for hybrid engagement models
  3. Measurable Impact Indicators Organizations should track:
    • Volunteer engagement rates
    • Program participation metrics
    • Community impact measurements
    • Digital platform adoption rates

These real-world examples demonstrate that the four-day workweek isn’t just aspirational – it’s already being implemented by major governments and organizations. For nonprofits, this presents an unprecedented opportunity to reshape engagement strategies and maximize social impact through both traditional and digital channels.

The question: how is your nonprofit positioned to capitalize on increased time from supporters?
Tip: Volunteers are 10x more likely to give to a nonprofit.

Hint from Whole Whale, a top nonprofit-focused marketing agency.

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