EXTRA HOLIDAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 3, 5 January 1944, Page 3

EXTRA HOLIDAYS

ABSENTEE WORKERS

DROP IN PRODUCTION

Production in a number of factories in and near Wellington has been seriously affected as a result of absenteeism on the part of many employees, who failed to return to work after the holidays. Eight days' holiday was granted, including the five days recently ordered by the Government, but large numbers of employees, mostly women and girls, have taken extra days. Some factories have not yet resumed work, but it is expected that they also will be affected. One firm, which has Government contracts, had 33 per cent, of its female staff absent when work was resumed this week, while at another factory, which made attendance optional on Monday but compulsory yesterday, less than 7 per cent, reported on Monday and only 10 per cent, yesterday. One manager said that he had been notified by some of his employees that they were spending their holidays away from Wellington, and he believed they would have some difficulty in obtaining return steamer or rail accommodation. There were, however, many employees absent who lived and spent their holidays in Wellington and, as one employer said, he saw a number of his employees in the streets instead of being at work. It was considered that the situation would not be back to normal until next week. UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYER. The manager of one factory, while admitting that production was seriously affected, said he did not wish to make any comment that might cause disunity. "Many of our employees worked a lot of overtime last year," he added, "and probably if I were in their position I might be tempted to take a few extra days." The absenteeism section of the Industrial Man-power Emergency Regulations applies to all essential undertakings, and any undertakings which may not have been declared essential, but which the Minister may order to come within the scope of the absenteeism section of the regulations. Absenteeism is broadly defined as absence from work, or persistent lateness, without leave or reasonable excuse. A district man-power officer may, after investigation, impose a penalty of up to two days' pay and instruct the employer to deduct this from the worker's wages. If any worker is penalised for two separate offences then he may be taken to court or, according to the direction of . the man-power officer, again dealt with by him.

Employers are obliged under the regulations to report 'absences of four hours or more or lateness.