Revise Your Work Schedule Month is observed from May 1 to May 31 each year. Time management is an essential skill whether you work remotely, out on a job site, or in an office. We all get 24 hours in a day, but we have different needs. An E.R. nurse or police officer has less wiggle room than someone who works from home. Even so, when it comes to our work schedules it’s less about getting things done and more about making time for that which we find fulfilling. Life is more rewarding when you find a balance between work and play.
History of Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Work schedules have been a part of American employees’ lives for more than a century. In the 1700s when the economy was heavily reliant on agriculture, most workers performed manual labor on farms, ranches, and plantations. It was hard work and quite brutal on the body. The hours were long. The average agricultural worker put in about 12 hours a day, six or seven days a week. They also spent about two or three hours doing other work such as repairs or cleaning up. In the 1800s, the industrial revolution cut into manual labor. Machines replaced human workers in many industries, including agriculture. Now employment shifted to manufacturing, with most Americans working in factories. Manufacturers dictated work conditions, which led to the exploitation of laborers.
It wasn’t until the 1850s that labor unions began pushing for shorter work hours as a way to increase wages. Having shorter hours meant there would be an increased demand for more laborers, and increased demand would mean increased wages. Social reformers joined the movement, and though manufacturers resisted their efforts, the workweek for Americans slowly declined. The process could have been faster, but weak government regulations and poor enforcement of existing labor laws were the biggest obstacles.
By the 20th century, workers now had legislative support for their rights, and the federal government was behind them. Work hours got reduced to eight hours a day. Social scientists began a discussion about the negative effects of long working hours on mental and physical health. Today, many employees have a say in determining their work schedules, and can even ask their employers to revise them if necessary. Revise Your Work Schedule empowers you to bring about changes by looking at what really should be your work priorities and how you can effectively get to everything.
Revise Your Work Schedule Month timeline
The industrial revolution creates a surplus of manual labor jobs with low pay, forcing Americans to work longer hours, with many working up to 12 hours a day and 68 hours a week.
Thanks to the efforts of labor unions and an executive order by President Martin Van Buren, all federal employees engaged in manual work get their schedules reduced to 10 hours a day.
Massachusetts passes the first enforceable 10-hour law for female workers.
The Ford Motor Company adopts the five-day workweek.
Revise Your Work Schedule Month FAQs
What Is a Good Work Schedule?
Individual needs may vary, but a good, standard work schedule to start with is the traditional 9-to-5.
How Do You Write a Work Schedule?
Know your team, structure shifts around your best employees, and set up a reliable communication method for everyone involved.
How Do You Ask For a Change of Work Schedule?
Figure out exactly what you’re requesting and if it’s appropriate or realistic for your workplace, state your case with your team leader, and set clear expectations.
Revise Your Work Schedule Month Activities
Revise your work schedule
It’s the whole point of the holiday. Switch up your schedule this month. Find out what works best for you.
Help others with their schedules
Some people struggle with organizing their schedules, especially those working in a team setting. If you know of a colleague who has problems with their work schedule, offer to help them revise it. You just might make their lives — and yours — much easier.
Make planning part of your work schedule
Planning is critical to time management. Be sure to incorporate it into your revised work schedule, preferably daily. This way you can prioritize tasks according to their importance and the amount of time you’ll spend on them.
5 Informative Facts About Work Schedules
We stare at screens a lot
The average office worker spends around 1,700 hours a year in front of their computer.
Millennials want more flexible work hours
In a study from Bentley University, 77% of millennials feel they would be more productive if they had flexible work hours.
Alaskans work the most hours
People living in Alaska work an average of 41.6 hours per week, the most hours in the U.S.
We are strong finishers
People tend to take on more work towards the end of the year, a period that records higher averages of work hours per month.
The Dutch get it right
Only 0.5% of people in the Netherlands work overtime, and they spend up to 15.9 hours a week on their private lives.
Why We Love Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Trying something new
During Revise Your Work Schedule Month we get to experiment with our routines and try something new or different. Getting stuck in a rut can be demotivating. Sometimes a fresh schedule is just what you need to get your groove back. You might even find your new schedule is more efficient than the old one.
Finding the ideal work-life balance
Revising your work schedule is not just about making you a more productive worker. It’s also about striking that elusive work-life balance. Changing your schedule can give you more free time to unwind, focus on hobbies, or spend quality time with loved ones.
We learn to value our time
You can always make more money. You can always gain more experience and opportunities. But time is a finite resource, once it's wasted you can’t get it back. During Revise Your Work Schedule Month we become better managers of our time, and we learn to appreciate it more.
Revise Your Work Schedule Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 1 | Thursday |
| 2026 | May 1 | Friday |
| 2027 | May 1 | Saturday |
| 2028 | May 1 | Monday |
| 2029 | May 1 | Tuesday |
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