Labor Day was originally promoted to celebrate the American worker and the labor movement. The Department of Labor Web site describes the first celebration as “a street parade to exhibit to the public the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.”
America was built on hard work and the belief that hard work brings progress. Today, this work ethic is still part of our national makeup. According to the US. Census, there are 154 million Americans 16 and older in our nation’s labor force, (82 million men and 72 million women). There are 43 million Americans who work more than 40 hours per week, and 12 million who work more than 60 hours per week. Almost 17 million Americans leave their houses between the hours of midnight and 6 am to commute to work in the dark. These numbers reflect a population that works hard, and values hard work.
This leads to the question of why do we work? For money, to contribute to society, and possibly to create something that is useful to another human being. While we often focus first and most on making money, good work might be defined as creating a good, or being of service, thereby providing value to others.
These days, the Labor Day holiday, rather than celebrating work and labor, appears to be a celebration of American consumerism and retail. Labor Day sales and promotion of consumption are visible throughout all media outlets. It is easy to get caught up in the sales of the moment and forget about the people and process that brought the goods and services to market.
This year, as part of your Labor Day observance, remember that hard work is to be respected and appreciated, and that the underlying purpose of work is to provide value to others. Be impressed not with a fancy title or corner office, but with the outcome of a person’s work, and remember to thank those who provide the goods and services that make your life better.