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47
works manager. In two instances the nurse includes some of these
functions in her duties.;
The interest of employers in the welfare of workers, outside
their occupation, varies from the employer who appears to regard
his employees as so many units for production and the one who
knows all his ninety employees by their Christian names and much
of their personal history - more frequently in an old established
firm with the family tradition.
Policy with regard to. pension and sick-pay schemes varies
from firm to firm. Two at the time of visit contemplated starting
such schemes in conjunction with insurance companies. A few of
the larger firms already have schemes in operation, others a
pension scheme only and usually after a qualifying period.; In
some cases sick employees are paid for a varying period at the
discretion of the employer. Generally, however, the sick employee
receives only his national insurance benefits, the attitude of the
employer being that he had already contributed to the National
Insurance Fund.
Wages and Bonus Schemes
Wage levels are difficult to compare. Many employers were at
pains to point out that union rates or above are always paid. The
principal difficulties in comparing wage levels are due to varying
methods of payment, time work, piece work and the operation in
some cases of bonus schemes. The latter varies from a few pence a
week to as much as two to three pounds.; Some firms give a bonus
of a week's wages at Christmas time, others give a production
bonus twice a year. As one employer pointed out the basic wage is
the sum which employees use in comparing their wages with those
obtainable elsewhere. The same employer adopts a scheme whereby
small increments are given quarterly instead of a larger sum biannually
or annually,
Labour Turnover and Absenteeism
In trying to assess these two factors it has been found
impracticable to examine but a few of the records necessary for
accurate information. The view generally expressed by employers
is that the numbers are "low". Most of the firms made the point
that they have a solid core of long standing employees with the
remainder a constantly changing population. In the case of firms
whose records were made available to us the labour turnover is
high. No sickness records or other causes of absenteeism were
available.•