GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND OVERTIME

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22108, 2 June 1937, Page 7

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND OVERTIME

TO THE EDITOB Of TH» P»«3» Sir—The letter about Railway Department waitresses was a real eyeopener, especially when the private employer has been fined for doing what the Government does. The people should be able to look to a lead from Government departments, but what do we find? The employer of labour if he works his staff overtime, has to pay time and a half or double time. The Government in many departments pays less than ordinary time and in some cases does not pay for overtime at all. It would be of interest to know how many hours have been worked over the allotted 40 hours in the Public Trust office and even the Labour Department, and what overtime has been paid. Also in the Post Office the rate paid for overtime. I understand, is less than ordinary time. This can be applied to many other Government departments. It is time the Government put its house in order and took the same medicine as it prescribes for the private employer.— Yours, etc., CORNSTALK. May 13. 1937. [When this letter was referred to the Public Service Commissioners' office it was learned that the matter of overtime in the Public Service is at preset under review.]