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Henry Ford faced a staggering 370% turnover rate within his factories. To combat this, he raised wages to $5 per day—more than double the average—and adopted a standardized 40-hour workweek. Ford believed that investing in his workers could increase productivity, as well-rested employees would be more focused and motivated. This tactic succeeded, attracting 10,000 candidates eager to work in what had previously been seen as monotonous and grueling environments.
Ford's approach not only stabilized his workforce but also contributed to the creation of the American middle class and established labor protections such as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which formalized the 40-hour workweek and introduced minimum wage standards across the nation.