No One Wants to Work Overtime: Now What?

Manufacturing owners love to say nobody wants to work overtime anymore. But maybe the better question is: why did we build businesses that depend on it? In this episode, I dig into the new overtime reality facing machine shops and manufacturers. The workforce has changed. People want their nights, weekends, and family time back. But customers still want shorter lead times, faster delivery, and flawless execution. That puts owners right in the middle. This episode is not about blaming workers or whining about younger generations. It's about leadership, capacity, planning, accountability, and building a company that does not require constant heroics just to hit the schedule. Overtime should be a tool. It should not be the operating model. Because the future belongs to shops that can deliver without burning people out.