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Celebrating Labor Day: Honoring Workers and the American Spirit

As we observe Labor Day, the air is filled with the anticipation of a long weekend, barbecues, and the last hurrah of summer.

But beyond the festivities and relaxation, the first Monday of each September carries a profound significance. It’s a day to honor the American workforce, their contributions, and the spirit of hard work that has shaped this nation. As an executive recruiting firm, we understand the value of a dedicated and skilled workforce, which makes Labor Day an ideal opportunity to explore its origins, significance, and why US companies observe it.

The Origins of Labor Day

Labor Day, contrary to popular belief, didn’t originate as just another day off. Its roots are deeply embedded in the labor movement of the late 19th century. To truly appreciate the significance of Labor Day, let’s delve into its fascinating history.

  1. 1.Haymarket Riot (1886): Labor unrest was prevalent in the late 19th century. One of the most notable events leading to Labor Day was the Haymarket Riot in Chicago in 1886. Workers were striking for an eight-hour workday when a peaceful rally turned violent. In the aftermath, several labor leaders were arrested and later executed. This event sparked a wave of protests and sympathy for labor rights across the nation.
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  3. 2.Labor Leaders and Unions: The late 19th century saw the rise of influential labor leaders like Samuel Gompers, who founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Unions played a vital role in advocating for workers’ rights, including better working conditions, fair wages, and reasonable hours.
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  5. 3.Pullman Strike (1894): Another pivotal moment in labor history was the Pullman Strike. Employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike, demanding better wages and working conditions. President Grover Cleveland declared it a federal crime to interfere with the mail, which was being disrupted due to the strike. This move further fueled tensions between labor and management.
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  7. 4.Labor Day’s Recognition: Amid this turbulence, the idea of a national holiday to honor the American worker gained momentum. Oregon became the first state to officially recognize Labor Day as a public holiday in 1887, followed by several other states. President Grover Cleveland signed it into law as a national holiday in 1894, just days after the Pullman Strike ended.

It’s Significance to the American Workers

Now that we’ve explored the historical backdrop of Labor Day, let’s shift our focus to why this day continues to hold significance in the 21st century.

  1. 1.Celebrating Workers: Labor Day is a day to celebrate and acknowledge the tireless efforts of workers across various industries. It’s a time to appreciate the dedication and commitment that their team members bring to their jobs, day in and day out.
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  3. 2.Life Balance: In an era where life balance is a growing concern, Labor Day serves as a reminder that the well-being of team members should be a priority. It encourages hiring brands to reflect on their policies and practices to ensure a healthy work environment.
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  5. 3.Economic and Social Progress: Labor Day symbolizes the progress made in workers’ rights and labor conditions over the years. It reminds us of the importance of fair wages, safe working conditions, and reasonable working hours, which are still ongoing battles in some industries.

Why US Companies Observe Labor Day

We understand the importance of corporate culture and the role it plays in attracting and retaining top talent. Observing this national holiday is not just a legal requirement but also a chance for companies to demonstrate their commitment to their workforce and the community. Here are some reasons why US companies observe Labor Day:

  1. 1.Team Member Well-being: It allows companies to show their appreciation for their team members’ hard work and dedication. Recognizing the holiday by giving the team a day off or organizing special events fosters a sense of belonging and well-being among the workforce.
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  3. 2.Morale Boost: A well-observed Labor Day can boost team morale. It sends a positive message that the company values its team members and acknowledges their contributions. This, in turn, can lead to increased motivation and productivity.
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  5. 3.Community Engagement: Many companies use this day as an opportunity to engage with the local community through charitable activities or events. This not only enhances the company’s public image but also strengthens ties with the community.
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  7. 4.Compliance with Labor Laws: Observing the holiday is not just a gesture of goodwill but also a legal requirement for most companies. Compliance with labor laws, including holiday pay and time-off policies, is essential to avoid legal issues.
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  9. 5.Recruitment and Retention: In today’s competitive job market, companies that observe Labor Day and prioritize team well-being are more attractive to top talent. It can be a crucial factor in both recruitment and retention efforts.

Conclusion

Labor Day is not just another day off; it’s a day to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the American workforce. From its origins in the labor movement of the late 19th century to its significance in the 21st century, it continues to remind us of the importance of fair labor practices and the value of a hardworking workforce.

We encourage companies to use this day as an opportunity to strengthen their corporate culture, boost team morale, and engage with their communities. By doing so, they not only honor the past but also invest in a brighter future for their organizations and the American workforce as a whole.

Our Impact

In 1995, our founders embarked on a journey that would disrupt the status quo of the executive recruiting industry. We have been transforming companies and lives ever since.

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9,395

First Round Interviews

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3,000+

Total Placements

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47%

Diversity Placements

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$700M

Economic Impact

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Brent Albertson

CEO, Zing Zang LLC

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“ Our experience with Protis Global has been very positive. They have strong multi-industry CPG experience and understand our business model and standards. They know the difference between an “A-player” and a “B-player” in several functions, and the honesty around that standard helps us move faster. Mike and team set up a great process, especially in early canvassing and vetting that helps our leaders engage at the right time and make decisions fast. ”

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Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“Protis Global’s approach to talent acquisition is marked by diligence, transparency, and a genuine dedication to client satisfaction. Their strategic insights and personalized service have made a substantial impact on our organization, ensuring that we always have the best professionals driving our initiatives forward. The team at Protis Global demonstrates a keen ability to identify individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align seamlessly with our company culture.”

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Hilal Tabsh

Chief Revenue Officer, Glass House Brands

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“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

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Peter Iglesias

Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

“I highly recommend Protis Global as a top-notch recruiting agency. I have had the pleasure of working with them for the past 15 years, both as a candidate and employer in the Spirits and Wine industry. In my 25 years of experience, I have found Protis Global to be the most efficient and effective recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. Protis Global has consistently come through for me in the clutch, providing exceptional professionalism and execution in job searches and placements. Their dedication to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers sets them apart from other agencies. I have always been impressed by their ability to understand the needs of both parties and successfully connect them in a timely manner.”

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Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

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“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

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Brian Kuz

Chief Sales Officer

Food & Snacks
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“Protis is unique in their go-to-market strategy in that they not only find the right candidate for the role, but they find the right opportunity and company for the candidate. Protis Global looks for people who are ready to make a change...I will continue to recommend Protis Global as one of the best placement agencies in the World, as I have worked on every continent and have dealt with the big executive placement firms and the boutique ones. Protis shines above all, and as long as I am hiring, I will continue to go to Protis Global first, if not exclusively.”

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Chris Hall

CEO, poppi

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“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

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Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

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“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

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John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

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Kathleen Hutchison

Senior National Account Manager at Arla Foods

Food & Snacks
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Kayla was awesome and very thorough in her vetting of candidates. She understood our brief as we were looking for candidates and helped to weed through those who were not a good fit for the role. 

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Thomas Frisch

Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“The team worked quickly and efficiently to find a unique position.”

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Kim Nguyen

VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

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Beer, Wine & Spirits

Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

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Shashank Gaur

VP of Product Technology & Innovation

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The interview process was smooth and extremely professional. Ben and team represented me as much as they represented the company. 

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Jeremy Schulman

Regional Business Manager - Foodservice

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Consistent communication, updates, and detailed knowledge of the client. The whole experience was top notch!

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Blake T. Bermingham

Supply Chain Manager

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

Very simplistic process finding the right role for the right candidate...keep up the great work! 

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