Labour Day/May Day

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May 1 marks the observance of Labor Day (La Fête du Travail), a public holiday that commemorates and celebrates workers and workers’ rights. The origin of the French Labor Day was inspired by an American protest for workers’ rights in 1886, which led to the death of multiple protestors. In honor of their sacrifice, French workers demonstrated on May 1, 1890 (May Day) to demand similar rights, holding ongoing protests in favor of workers’ rights—eventually securing an eight-hour workday in 1919.

These May Day protests continued until 1936, when the French government granted workers a variety of rights, including a 40-hour workweek, two weeks of paid vacation, and the recognition of trade union rights. Thus, starting in 1941, May Day began to be widely known as Labor Day, becoming a paid public holiday in 1947. 

Today, Labor Day is still marked by demonstrations and parades in honor of workers’ rights and other social issues. The day is also marked by the act of exchanging lilies of the valley with family, friends, and coworkers as a sign of appreciation—a tradition dating back to 1561, when King Charles IX gave lilies to ladies of the court—giving the holiday the additional name of Fête du Muguet (or Lily of the Valley Day).

How to prepare

@company.name is closed for Labor Day. Please turn on your out of office message prior to leaving for the holiday weekend.

Thanks for your hard work! Here’s how we’re observing Labor Day

At @company.name, we recognize and appreciate your hard work every day. But in honor of Labor Day, we have some extra ways we’re planning to show you that recognition and appreciation, including:

• [Insert activity]
• [Insert activity]
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