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This factory was severely short on workers. Then it offered flexible work
BUSINESS
This factory was severely short on workers. Then it offered flexible work
JULY 8, 2026 5:01 AM ET
Andrea Hsu
The Roper Corp., owned by GE Appliances, manufactures ovens and ranges in LaFayette, Georgia.
Julie Holder for NPR
LAFAYETTE, Ga. — The freedom to choose your work hours has been a game changer for many white-collar workers. Now, it has quietly become an option for some blue-collar workers as well.
With U.S. manufacturers struggling to staff up, a handful are opening the doors to people who may not be seeking a traditional career in the industry or even a 40-hour workweek.
It's a change that manufacturers including Stanley Black & Decker and Georgia-Pacific are embracing. And it has also taken hold in rural northwest Georgia.
{snip}
This factory was severely short on workers. Then it offered flexible work
JULY 8, 2026 5:01 AM ET
Andrea Hsu
The Roper Corp., owned by GE Appliances, manufactures ovens and ranges in LaFayette, Georgia.
Julie Holder for NPR
LAFAYETTE, Ga. — The freedom to choose your work hours has been a game changer for many white-collar workers. Now, it has quietly become an option for some blue-collar workers as well.
With U.S. manufacturers struggling to staff up, a handful are opening the doors to people who may not be seeking a traditional career in the industry or even a 40-hour workweek.
It's a change that manufacturers including Stanley Black & Decker and Georgia-Pacific are embracing. And it has also taken hold in rural northwest Georgia.
{snip}