The Great Bakery Bust: Lochner v. New York and the Fight for a Shorter Work Week (with Fewer Bagels)
Ah, the early 1900s. A time of innovation, flappers, and apparently, some serious overachieving bakers. This is the story of Lochner v. New York (1905), a Supreme Court case that involved more dough (sorry, legal jargon) than you might think.
The Case of the Overworked Dough-Makers
Imagine this: New York State passes a law, the Bakeshop Act, that says bakery employees can't work more than 60 hours a week. Sounds reasonable, right? Well, enter Joseph Lochner, a New York bakery owner who, according to some accounts, liked his bread extra-proofed (and his employees extra-exhausted). Lochner got in trouble for letting a baker work more than 60 hours, and instead of accepting a slap on the wrist (or a rolling pin rap on the knuckles), he decided to take it all the way to the Supreme Court.
Lochner Says "No Way" to Shorter Days
Lochner's argument? The law violated his right to, well, bask in the golden rays of economic freedom (or something like that). He argued it infringed on his right to freely contract with his employees, even if that contract meant they were basically living at the bakery.
The Supreme Court Takes a Bite
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court sided with Lochner, essentially throwing some shade on the Bakeshop Act. The Court said the law interfered with the sacred right to make your employees knead dough for 12 hours a day. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., known for his witty dissents, famously said this decision would "turn the Fourteenth Amendment into a hammer with which to hammer out the economic theory that some gentlemen approve of."
The Legacy: A Recipe for Change
Lochner v. New York is a landmark case, but for all the wrong reasons. It came to symbolize judicial activism and an era where courts struck down many laws aimed at improving working conditions. Thankfully, this decision was gradually chipped away at over time, paving the way for fairer labor laws.
Lochner v. New York: Frequently Asked Questions (with a Dash of Sarcasm)
How to Work 80 Hours a Week Like a Champ (Not Recommended)
This question is best answered with a big DON'T. Prioritize your health and well-being!
How to Convince Your Boss You Need a Shorter Work Week (Maybe Try This One)
Highlight the benefits! More rested employees are more productive employees.
How to Bake the Perfect Loaf Without Working Yourself to the Bone (Spoiler: It's Possible)
Plan your time, use efficient techniques, and remember, even slightly burnt bread is better than a burnt-out employee.
How to Avoid Getting Sued for Violating Labor Laws (This One's Important)
Follow the established work hour guidelines! There's a reason they exist.
How to Appreciate the History of Labor Rights (Without Getting Too Bogged Down)
Look at Lochner v. New York as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the ongoing fight for fair treatment in the workplace.
