The weekend is 100 years old
The two-day weekend, popularized by Henry Ford in 1926, is celebrating its 100th anniversary amid debates over the impact of hybrid work and modern flexibility. The article reflects on the historical struggle for collective leisure time and the failed Soviet experiment with a non-standard work calendar.
Why it matters
Understanding the history of the weekend provides context for current debates regarding work-life balance and the future of labor productivity.
The introduction of the weekend gave rise to the minibreak – alongside plenty of other leisure activities. Composite: getty images/Getty Images The introduction of the weekend gave rise to the minibreak – alongside plenty of other leisure activities. Composite: getty images/Getty Images Work-life balance The weekend is 100 years old – but have ‘skiveday Fridays’ and hybrid working ruined it for everyone? In 1926, Henry Ford gave his employees both Saturdays and Sundays off – and the two-day chunk of time to party, pray or simply do nothing was born. Now it’s changed beyond recognition
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