SHORTER WEEK

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 299, 14 September 1936, Page 5

SHORTER WEEK

Employees in Mental Hospitals NOVEL ARRANGEMENT By Telegraph—Preew Association. Auckland, September J2. The hours of work for employees In the mental hospitals of the Dominion are to be reduced. The Jlinister of Health, Hom P. Fraser, In an interview to-day said that owing to the exigencies of the service it had been an exceedingly difficult matter to arrange, but fortunately the cordial assistance of the Public Service Association . was forthcoming. Jlr. F. W. Millar>\ the. general secretary, visited the main mental hospitals and discussed with the staffs a scheme that had practically unanimously been adopted. Every’ effort was being made to bring the reduction into operation on October.!. The arrangement would involve a long day and short day alternately, with every third day, off ■ and every sixth month off, the result being that the staff would work 41} hours a week spread over the working year. These hours' represented a reduction Which could be effected immediately and l ensured that as far as, the patients were concerned no inconvenience would be caused. In various ways their care would be improved. A further reduction of hours would necessitate using accommodation at present necessary for patients—a position he was anxious to avoid. It was of vita! importance that the overcrowding ; of patients in the mental hospitals should be reduced, and until this difficulty had been overcome it would not be possible to provide the extra accommodation which a further reduction in hours would necessitate. Referring to the domestic, artisan and engineering staffs, Jlr. Fraser said that the hours of work would be reduced to 40 a week, as there were no practical difficulties in the way, and this would bring them into line with workers in the Public Works Department and others in similar employment.

Concerning the hours of farm workers, the Jlinister stated that the present hours of duty .were approximately 52 a' week, with 14 days’ annual leave, plus the statutory holidays. The position of these workers was being investigated with a view to achieving a reduction. and an announcement would be made as early as possible..