CITY FIRM FINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 16

CITY FIRM FINED

FEMALE EMPLOYEES

TOO MUCH OVERTIME WORK

Charges of employing female workers overtime on more than two consecutive days m a week, neglecting to obtain permits to employ the workers overtime. and working females on a statutory half-holiday, were preferred in the Magistrate's Court yesterday against J. M. Menriie, Limited. Prosecuting on behalf of the Labour Department, Robert Price, inspector of factories, said that following complaints received an examination had been made of the firm's wages and time book, and this revealed that from 30 to 40 girls had been Avorking overtime for a considerable number of hours for over •three-weeks, mostly in November. The Factories . Act prescribed that female employees were to work overtime on not more than two consecutive days in any one week, and, on three occasions, females employed by defendant firm worked on practically every night of the week.

No permit had been applied for, as required under the Act, for the employment of the. workers overtime, although a permit would have been granted authorising a limit of 12 hours a week overtime. Some of the employees had worked up .to 18£ hours' overtime. Girls had also worked on their half-holidays. " It appears to the department that there was a rather deliberate disregard of the regulations," added Mr. Price. It was stated on behalf of defendant firm that the workers had to be employed' to cope with the Christmas orders. and that they were glad to make the extra money. Mr Price: It has always been a good firm ir relation to its dealings with the department. Stating that 18 hours' overtime in one week was excessive for girls to work, the magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean, imposed fines, totalling £3 10s.