The standard 40-hour workweek was established in the 1930s, and some are suggesting that today’s workers should spend fewer hours on the job. They say technology like wifi and laptops help people get more done in less time, and pursuing interests outside of work prevents burnout. Business leaders worry, however, that less time in the office would result in decreased productivity. Listen to learn what researchers found when workers in Iceland put in fewer hours for the same pay and then debate: Should the workweek be only four days?
Story Length: 2:39
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August 31, 2021
3:56
Labor Day, a time to honor American workers, first became a federal holiday in 1894. The history of labor rights and relations, however, goes back much farther than that and spans diverse cultures and civilizations. Listen to hear about labor milestones along the way and learn why pirates were considered champions of workers’ rights.
Read MoreMarch 19, 2021
3:51
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Even full-time workers often find it difficult to support themselves or their families at that rate. Democrats have proposed a dramatic boost in the minimum wage to $15 an hour, arguing it would energize the economy by encouraging people to spend more and would help address income inequalities. Opponents argue the economy would suffer under a higher federal minimum wage, as some small businesses could be forced to lay off workers and raise prices. Listen to business owners discuss the pros and cons of a $15 minimum wage and then debate: Should the minimum wage be raised?
Update: Since this story aired, the COVID relief bill passed Congress and became law.
Read MoreFebruary 16, 2021
5:26
Recently a group of more than a thousand produce market workers in New York went on strike for higher wages. Banding together and organizing into labor unions can give workers more power to advocate for their rights. Especially during the pandemic, when providing essential services often means risking their own health, more workers are joining with others to demand the pay and working conditions they feel they deserve. Listen to learn more about why workers are organizing and what gives them more, or less, bargaining power.
Read MoreJanuary 24, 2019
3:56
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has been going on for several weeks. While the president and Congress argue about funding for a wall on the southern border, 25% of the government has been closed. Hundreds of thousands of government workers are not getting paid, though many of them are still required to work. As a result, many working families are struggling to pay their bills and making difficult sacrifices during the shutdown. Listen to this interview with one federal worker and mother whose family has been feeling the impact of the shutdown and hear about what the experience has been like for her.
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