Normalarbetsdagen

A social treatise written in the late 19th century. The work discusses the critical importance of establishing a standard workday for adult male workers as well as for women and young laborers, aiming to address the broader social and economic conditions of the time. The core topic revolves around the implications of work duration on physical and mental well-being, economic stability, and the overall quality of life for workers. At the start of the book, the author emphasizes the urgency and complexity surrounding the question of the normal workday, which has gained significant political traction across many advanced countries, including Sweden. Steffen notes the challenges in achieving widespread acceptance of these reforms, particularly in light of economic theories that are still evolving. He sets the stage for an exploration of the intertwined impacts of work duration on workers' health, moral standards, and productivity, while cautioning against both uncritical support and opposition to the movement for a regulated workday. This opening highlights Steffen's analytical approach to the social issues at the heart of the labor movement of his time, preparing the reader for a detailed discussion on the historical context and the socio-economic consequences of the normal workday movement.