{
  "id": 19843383,
  "title": "Friday the 13th is here. Its impact on your work day may not be so scary",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/friday-the-13th-is-here-its-impact-on-your-work-day-may-not-be-so",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-13T16:48:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91642046/friday-the-13th-2026-impact-on-business-may-not-be-so-scary"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Friday the 13th arrives, and while its potential influence on your workday may seem daunting, the reality is likely less frightening than superstition would suggest. This particular workweek concludes on the infamous day, setting the stage for fear to potentially sway commerce in the Western world. The origins of the superstition behind this date can be traced back to the Greek term \"paraskevidekatriaphobia,\" coined by psychotherapist Donald Dossey, which merges the Greek words for Friday, 13, and fear. The number of Friday the 13ths in a year varies, but averages roughly once every 212.35 days, based on a 400-year Gregorian calendar cycle. Some years, like 2026, even see this day appear three times.\n\nThe exact reason Friday the 13th became associated with ill fortune remains unclear, with various theories offering possible explanations. One such theory suggests that the number 12 is seen as perfect and complete, making 13 inherently less desirable by comparison. This idea is supported by Norse mythology, where 12 gods were at a banquet in Valhalla until Loki, the troublesome trickster, arrived, bringing the count to 13. This led to a tragic event where the blind god Höd killed his brother Balder, a pivotal moment in their mythology. In Christianity, the number 13 and Friday take on further significance with the Last Supper, attended by 13 individuals, followed by Jesus's crucifixion the next day. Additionally, Eve's temptation, Adam's forbidden fruit, and Cain's killing of Abel are all said to have occurred on a Friday.\n\nSuperstitions surrounding this date have also permeated popular culture. Historical events on Friday the 13th include the 1307 detentions and eventual executions of Knights Templar by King Philip IV of France. In literature, Thomas William Lawson's 1907 novel \"Friday, the Thirteenth\" depicts a stockbroker manipulating the market on this date. Perhaps the most well-known modern representation is the slasher film franchise \"Friday the 13th,\" which began in 1980 and has since become a cultural phenomenon, with its iconic hockey goalie mask and the city of Crystal Lake serving as a backdrop for the series. Despite the fear it inspires, the impact of the superstition on business is a subject of debate. Dr. Dossey once claimed that Americans lost $800 to $900 million in productivity due to the fear of Friday the 13th, a figure that has been questioned due to the lack of transparency in his methodology. While it is difficult to quantify the exact financial impact, signs of its influence are evident. For instance, fewer than 5% of Manhattan and Brooklyn mid-rise and high-rise residential condos have a floor labeled 13, according to the Wall Street Journal. On average, 13th-floor apartments sell 18% less frequently than those on other floors, and sales are also down on the day itself, with a 19% decrease on any given 13th. However, a 2007 USA Today/Gallup poll revealed that only 13% of Americans would be dissuaded from staying on the 13th floor of a hotel, suggesting that the superstition might be less pervasive than its reputation would have people believe.",
  "summary": "Business can be risky, so it’s natural that superstitions can sometimes creep in when money and careers are at stake. This workweek ends on Friday the 13th, so in the Western world, the stage is set for fear to influence commerce. Let’s take a look at the so-called bad luck day’s origins and how it impacts the business world. What is a fear of Friday the 13th called? A fear of Friday the 13th is…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}