Employment Quote by Samuel Gompers
“So long as there is one [person] who seeks employment and cannot find it, the hours of work are too long.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: AFL-CIO Convention, 1912
When people cannot find jobs, long work hours become oppressive for those who are employed.
In simple terms: Unemployment makes long hours unfair.
Advocate for full employment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- union negotiations
- job creation programs
- minimum wage discussions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure both employment and reasonable hours?
- What policies best balance job availability with worker well‑being?
If jobs are plentiful, long hours may still be problematic for work-life balance.