A WOMAN SECRETARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8726, 27 November 1913, Page 6

A WOMAN SECRETARY.

A large department store in New York has placed its welfare in the hands of a paid secretary, a woman who is given large, powers. The management has impressed upon her that she should'hot seek ttpielp unless employees want help, so that nothing must be done to cause them to feel •that their independence is being encroached uponi The secretary visits the'homes, of employees' in times of illness or distress, and she has a fund at her disposal to be used where it is most needed. One of her chief and most useful duties is to aid employees to increase, their efficiency. A list of employees whose sales in their respective departments are below the average is sent.to her, and she then endeavours tactfully to-find out the reason. Frequently she is able to be of great assistance. Lunch is furnished at cost to all adult employees, and to the children who earn between 12s and 14s a week, lunch is provided free. It was found that many of these children were improperly nourished at home, and were sent to work without breakfast, and those who "need it are given two meals a day. The customary recreation rooms and other conveniences are provided, and there is 1 a benefit association, which '•has-an.'unusual feature—the directors may, in their discretion, make loans to members, which are repaid in instalments, and a member who is ill may'he. sent away at the expense of the association.