Labor Day in the US is a time for celebrating the hard-working women and men who built our country and continue to move us forward. When we think of “labor” many things come to mind. Sometimes it’s the hard, manual work that only people can do and other times it’s the historical aspect of the great buildings and monuments to industry from long ago.
Today, as work has evolved, and continues to evolve, it’s about appreciating all workers and the many different types of work they do. Whether it’s sitting at a desk or turning a wrench, work involves many different skills, experience and effort. Then there’s the challenges of everyday life; taking care of yourself and others, and contributing in a positive way to our world. Each generation, going back to those who built those big buildings and factories, had different challenges. Each generation of workers overcame them and this continues today as a testament to the respect and honor due to American workers.
As those in the US celebrate Labor Day, I hope you can relax, enjoy time away from the job and celebrate and appreciate the American workers of the past, present and future. It took a lot of commitment, ingenuity and innovation to overcome the challenges they faced, and it will continue to be these traits that help us, as an American company, to be successful in the future.
Hal Yoh is chair and chief executive officer of Day & Zimmermann, a leader in construction & engineering, staffing and defense solutions for leading corporations and government agencies around the world. He is the third generation of the Yoh family to lead Day & Zimmermann—a family-owned business and former recipient of the U.S. National Family Business of the Year award. As chairman and chief executive officer since 1999, Hal has helped shape the strategic growth that the company has achieved over the last few decades.