FACTORY OUTPUTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24101, 21 October 1941, Page 9

FACTORY OUTPUTS

INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS HOURS AND MONOTONY (0C) Hamilton. Monday Factors affecting the output of factories were discussed by Dr. A. E. C. Hare, Research Fellow of the Industrial Relations Department of the University of New Zealand, in an address at the Hamilton Rotary Club's luncheon to-day. Dr. Hare said that during the last war the need for more munitions was so great that it was decided to work longer hours in the factories in order to increase the output. The results were the opposite to those expected. The output decreased, and absenteeism and accidents increased. Research showed that there was a direct connection between the hours of work and the reasons for the drop in output. The hours were first shortened from 12 hours to 10 hours, and then from 10 hours to eight hours. In each instance there was an increase in output, and it was found that, generally speaking, if the hours were reduced output would go up. There was a limit, of course, to the reduction of hours, but 40 or 45 hours a week appeared to be satisfactory to ensure a maximum output. Effect ol Noise Continuing, Dr. Hare said noise had an extraordinary effect, on output. A steady hum was not as bad as an intermittent row. A movement had started in England to reduce noises in factories, and to move noisy machinery to places where it could not be heard bv the majority of the workers. Good lighting also increased output. The task of reducing monotony in attending automatic machines had been given attention. It was ft very big problem. Some men liked work 'which required little or no effort, but others, those of active mental capacity, became discontented with such types of work. Dr. Hare said there was little to be done except to select men carefully for the work and to provide changes in the jobs as frequently as possible. The elimination of boredom and discontent was a serious psychological problem. Music and Rest Intervals Dr. Hare said that music assisted to promote production. Another means of increasing output was to provide rest intervals. They were called "smokos" in New Zealand. These rest intervals of in minutes in the forenoon and afternoon had proved very helpful in increasing output. Giving the men a task with a definite purpose and taking an- interest in their work were also helpful. Dr. blare said that when he visited a factory he always asked what was the labour turnover, did the men come and go, and were there many accidents? If the last two questions were answered in the affirmative, there was something psychologically wrong with the factorv.