Labor Day, first celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City, honors American workers’ contributions to the nation’s strength and prosperity. The holiday gained federal recognition when President Grover Cleveland signed legislation in 1894, making the first Monday in September a national holiday. Yet for the estimated 5 million Americans living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) disabilities, the promise of meaningful work remains frustratingly elusive.

TBI survivors face unique employment barriers that make Labor Day bittersweet. Cognitive impairments affect memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities, while physical symptoms include fatigue, headaches, and coordination problems. The CDC notes that “some symptoms may affect a person’s ability to do their normal work activities,” highlighting how these invisible disabilities create substantial employment obstacles.

The statistics paint a stark picture: only 34% of TBI survivors maintain stable employment three years post-injury, according to TBI Model Systems research. In August 2025, the CDC laid out factual, but not statistical, “TBI in the Workplace Facts”.  For example, while some TBI survivors may not be able to ever return to work, many others who attempt to return to work encounter workplace discrimination, inadequate accommodations, and employers who misunderstand their capabilities.

The federal government has responded with several initiatives. The Office of Disability Employment Policy “provide[s] leadership, develop[s] policy and initiatives and award[s] grants furthering the objective of eliminating barriers to the training and employment of people with disabilities.” In a 2025 DOL Missouri’s Division of Workers’ Compensation conference, they affirmed that “individuals with brain injury can and do return to work with appropriate support and rehabilitation.”

However, significant gaps remain. Enhanced employer education about TBI, expanded transportation options, increased funding for vocational rehabilitation services, and recognition of brain injury as a chronic condition requiring long-term support are essential steps toward ensuring that Labor Day truly celebrates all American workers, including those whose injuries may be invisible but whose contributions remain invaluable.