48-hour Workweek

The standard workweek has fluctuated over time. The 40-hour, 5-day workweek was codified first in 1938 with the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act. On 9 February 1943, President Roosevelt declared a mandatory wartime 48-hour workweek for industry within 32 certain vital areas, including Seattle where Boeing was located. In effect, Roosevelt’s measure, Executive Order 9301, added eight hours of mandatory overtime, with the purpose of increasing production for the war effort.

Dorothy Adelaide “Dot” DuBois Lingle worked for the Boeing Corporation near Seattle in aircraft assembly. From 5-19 November 1943, she was paid $43.70. Included among her hours were 4 bonus hours.See the fruit of Dorothy Lingle’s labor in our new building, US Freedom Pavilion: the Boeing Center.

Gift in Memory of Adelaide and Jack Lingle, 2012.194

Post by Curator Kimberly Guise.