ABSENT ON HOLIDAYS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13237, 13 January 1941, Page 3

ABSENT ON HOLIDAYS

FACTORY WORKERS

POSITION EXAGGERATED SAYS HON. D. G. SULLIVAN

MINISTER THANKS THOSE WHO DID RETURN

Wellington. Jan. 11

Comment on statements in the Press regarding factory employees being absent from work after the holidays was made last night by the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who said he had made inquiries in the four main centres and found the position not as bad as would appear from published statements. "While it is a matter for serious regret that a number of factory employees, including, unfortunately, some engaged in military work, have not taken a more serious view" 'of their responsibility to the nation, I am pleased to say that by far the greatest majority returned to work on the due date," said the Minister. "To those loyal workers I express my thanks, and to those who far various reasons have absented themselves I wish again to point out that they are doing their industry and New Zealand a serious disservice. "I have had inquiries made in ten large factories in Wellington. One factory reported 40 per cent, of its employees absent, and another only 3 per cent. Some factories reported that the position was much better than last year, and others that it was worse. In Auckland there had been no complaints from factories from which I made inquiries; indeed, one factory had only one absentee out of a staff of 300.> It has also been reported in the Press that 99 per cent, of the employees of the Colonial Ammunition Company were back at work on the due date. In Christchurch one large firm employing nearly 400 hands had only 13 absentees. Another firm in Christchurch had 42 per cent, of absentees. In Dunedin there were no complaints."

"Not a Disease."

"I mention these figures to show that absenteeism is not a disease affecting every factory worker in New Zealand. The figures prove in many instances that there has been practically none who did not report for work at the normal time. Tn other cases there have been large numbers absent. There must be a reason for this great disparity. Unfortunately, it would seem that the relationship between employers and employees in individual factories sometimes enters into matters of this kind. In the course of my inquiries I found that in one factory employing a large number of women and girls, the average absentee rale is about 3.7 per cent. The management of that particular factory makes a special point of co-operat-ing with the staff, considering their welfare and obtaining this goodwill. Its premises are spotlessly clean, free medical attention is provided, there is an excellent cafeteria, a bonus is paid on production and continuous work is guaranteed. The manager of another factory, in a recent letter, states:—'lt is very difficult to give statistcial reasons for the spirit of loyalty and co-operation that we believe exists in this firm today, but we as employers are extremely prour of our entire staff,' and the writer sincerely believes 'that the monetary surpluses and profits will look after themselve sif we look after our employees and treat them as humans and our equals.' •Conditions Exceptional

"Admittedly the conditions obtaining in these two large factories are exceptional, but they are not troubled with the question of irregular attendance," the Minister continued. "It both instances the principles of goodwill and understanding are in practise to a considerable degree, and the question naturally arises as to whether human relationships in other types of manufacturing establishments nvould not be improved under similar management and control. I hold no brief for the man or woman who wilfully and without adequate reason absents himself or herself from work, thus reducing production and probably holding up the production of others. At the same time I would strongly emphasise that the spirit of co-operation between the employer and employee in the two factories I referred to — and I could mention others—had demonstrated that a human relationship can be set up in factories by means of which each person engaged pulls his or her weight with benefit to all concerned. I am sure that what can be extended generally throughout industry if the correct approach is made to all the problems involved."