CAUSES ANALYSED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 203, 27 August 1943, Page 2

CAUSES ANALYSED

ABSENCE FROM WORK

"NOT ALL IRRESPONSIBLE"

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. Investigations carried out by the industrial psychology division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial research had shown that the percentage of absenteeism was about 5 per cent among men and 12 per cent among women.

This rate meant that between SOOO and s 9OOO factory employees were away from work every day, said Mr. L. S. Hearnshaw, lecturer in psychology at the Victoria University College,- in addressing the New Zealand Vocational Guidance Association. He said this certainly was not all due to sickness, but a good deal was due to lack of motivation or a fundamental lack of interest in the job. The human factor in factories was most important. There must be a good relationship uetween the management and the worker, and good personnel management. There was a certain proportion of conflict between what must be done to win the war and what should be done in the interests of the individual.

Mr. N. S. Woods, of the National Service Department, said the number of young people who had come under control gave much less cause' for concern than many people had expected. Those who were not at home under control had been less fortunate. Certain absentees had been absolutely irresponsible, but not all the 8000 or 9000 could be classed as irresponsible and lightheaded. Some were persons who were "fed up" with their job, were feeling the strain, or thought the job of insufficient interest and importance.