For decades, the 9-5 job has been the foundation of the modern economy, built on the expectation that employees trade 40 hours a week for financial stability, career advancement, and retirement security. But as the workforce evolves, cracks in the system have become impossible to ignore. The 40-hour work week—once a symbol of economic progress—has turned into an outdated structure that no longer aligns with today’s shifting job market and rising wage crisis. With inflation outpacing salaries and corporate layoffs becoming routine, workers are questioning whether traditional employment still offers the financial security it once promised.
One of the biggest reasons why no one wants to work anymore is the growing realization that the labor market has been artificially propped up by misleading job postings and stagnant wages. The rise of the ghost job phenomenon—where companies list open positions they have no intention of filling—has left job seekers frustrated, applying to hundreds of roles with little to no response. Hiring processes have become longer, salaries have failed to keep up with living costs, and the promise of career stability has turned into a mirage. Workers are stuck in a cycle of applying, waiting, and often never hearing back, leading many to abandon the traditional 9-5 job in favor of gig work, entrepreneurship, or remote employment.
At the same time, younger generations are rejecting the idea that career success must be tied to rigid schedules and office spaces. The rise of gig work and remote jobs has reshaped the workforce, offering flexibility and autonomy that a 9-5 job cannot provide. As more companies struggle to retain talent, discussions about the 4-day work week have gained traction, signaling that employees are no longer willing to sacrifice work-life balance for minimal pay increases and shrinking benefits. The era of working long hours with little reward is coming to an end, forcing employers to rethink how they attract and retain workers.
Corporate resistance to change is only fueling the collapse. Employers continue to push return-to-office mandates despite clear data showing that remote work increases productivity and job satisfaction. While workers demand better wages and flexible schedules, companies are doubling down on outdated models that prioritize profits over employee well-being. This growing disconnect has resulted in record levels of burnout, mass resignations, and a shift toward alternative income streams outside of traditional employment.
The question is no longer whether the 40-hour work week will collapse, but how quickly it will be replaced. The cracks in the system have widened beyond repair, and as workers continue seeking better opportunities outside of traditional employment, businesses will be forced to adapt or risk becoming obsolete. The modern workforce is rejecting outdated job structures in favor of careers that prioritize flexibility, fair wages, and sustainable work conditions. The 9-5 job is no longer the default path to success—it’s an outdated model on the verge of collapse.
#financialeducation #financialfreedom #history
0:00 Intro
0:22 The Standard Work Week During The Industrial Revolution
0:57 Why Henry Ford Created The 40 Hour Work Week
1:34 The Importance Of The Dodge Vs Ford Case
2:55 How The Great Depression Introduced The 30 Hour Work Week
3:41 Just ANOTHER Completely Disconnected CEO
4:05 Why The United States Standardized The 40 Hour Work Week
4:43 How World War 2 Introduced Health Insurance And Pension Plans
5:29 What Work Was Like After World War 2
6:20 The Unbelievable Reason We Abandoned The 30 Hour Work week
7:29 When A Job ACTUALLY Paid The Bills
8:20 How The Friedman Doctrine Destroyed Practically Everything
9:28 How Much People Dislike Their Jobs
10:12 How Much Unpaid Hours Employees Are Working
10:52 The Results Of Unbelievably Stagnant Wages
11:39 Alternatives Work Models (The 4 Day Work Week)
12:06 Why The Gig Economy Is Surpassing The 9-5 Workforce
12:26 Why The Ideological Framework Of The 9-5 is So Damaging
13:44 The MANY Things I Get Called For Making These Videos
14:34 Why Shareholder Primacy Is Ruining The Working Class
21:50 Why MOST Strikes Failed During The Industrial Revolution
Titles for the Algo!
The Overdue COLLAPSE Of The 9-5
Why Gen Z REFUSES To Work A 9-5 Job
Why EVERYONE Hates The 9-5 Job
Why NOBODY Wants To Work A 9-5 Job
Why NO ONE Wants To Work A 9-5 Job