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62
1930]
In one large multiple food firm, staff exceedingly well looked after; also, in
large multiple dairies, conditions good. In a large drapery firm, subsidiary to a
well-known West-end establishment, from the business and commercial point of
view, everything appeared to be very much up-to-date, and one would have
expected that the " living-in " accommodation would also have been in keeping.
The hostels, however, were found to be very depressing; while the rooms were
clean and accommodation as regards space adequate, the interior environment and
appointments were distressing—three women in one room, no partition, no
privacy ; two in other rooms, a chest of drawers shared by all the room occupants,
no cupboards for the clothes, which had to be kept in boxes. No food was provided
at the hostels ; during the week the restaurants of the business were available,
but on Sundays there was no provision. In a firm of such standing the lack of
interest in the hostel arrangements was difficult to account for, and unexpected.
Generally speaking, in Islington it could not be said that the proprietor or the
manager, as was the case in most shops, was indifferent to the health of the
employee, in fact, in about half the places visited it was found that interest was
taken, but with this proviso, that the interest was greater in the smaller type of
shop, and tailed off until one came to the very large establishments. In some of
these there was a very exceptionally energetic and real interest taken in the
employees, but in the rest, as the size of the business increased, the real personal
touch and interest in the employees waned.
Some further examples.—In another establishment it was found that there
were no facilities offered for food at a cheap rate, and the manager admitted that
if his employees went outside and took a meal at the Co-operative Stores, and it
became known, their positions would be imperilled.
(Some examples in regard to sanitary conveniences, welfare, etc.).—At another
firm : Three men, two women. One w.c. at the end of small passage in the yard.
No accommodation for cooking, no heating.
Small lock-up shops, conditions not good. One or two cases they used the
public conveniences. In some cases the employers argue that there is free accommodation
provided in the public conveniences and therefore they do not refund any
payments for such use made by the employees. Girls complained very much of the
inconvenience in having to go down to the Porters' room of the railway to get
water. An employee spoke very highly of the way the porters and others treated
her, but she had, of course, to go to the public convenience opposite; she had to
pay because she did not care to use the free w.c. She, however, spoke highly of
the firm.
Two shops—one fruiterers. Have about four men and five girls; all have to
use the public convenience. Small sink in shop.
One shop, main thoroughfare. Employees have to use public conveniences
and have to go about 200 yards.
There appears to be a tendency to economise on the accommodation provided
for welfare of the staff, particularly in not providing " brightness." The contrast
between the shop proper and the accommodation provided for the assistants who
run the shop is most marked. Assistants complained of having the shop door open
summer and winter, but if shut there is a great decrease in the day's takings; this
is undoubtedly a recognised fact,