HOLIDAYS TAKEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24243, 8 April 1942, Page 4

HOLIDAYS TAKEN

GIELS INJNDUSTRY AWAY FOR NO REASON ESSENTIAL TRADES SUFFER Absenteeism among girl employees, always a problem in industry, is causing concern to a number of Auckland firms now engaged on essential work, mainly the supply of clothing or footwear to the Government for service use. While some manufacturers reported yesterday that they had noticed no recent increase in the number of girls who habitually were absent from work without apparent reason, others said the practice was on the increase, and in one case as many as I2i per cent of the female staff of a large factory were away without explanation yesterday. "We have been worried for some time about absenteeism among girls," said the proprietor of one factory yesterday. "We are an essential industry, but although we did not work over Easter, there were 22 girls unaccountably away to-day. These are in addition to others who have reported ill, and while some of the 22 are probably also ill, we believe some are merely taking a longer Easter holiday. Double Earnings "One girl who drew holiday pay from us for Monday actually spent the day working elsewhere, and so. presumably can afford to stay away to-day. There might be a .good number doing that '' The same manufacturer said girls were much more frequently absent than men. The company had no complaints about its male staff in this respect, but among the girls the practice had been fairly consistent. "It is quite a common thing all the time," said, the manager of another concern. "Absenteeism among girls is one of the main difficulties we face. Machines are not giving full capacity because of shortage of labour, and because those who are on the roll do not attend regularly. With the short labour supply, firms are very much at the mercy of employees, and many of the girls are here to-day and gone tomorrow." Happens Every Week The manager of a third factory said a few girls stayed away yesterday, and the same thing happened nearly every week. Girls seemed to take half a day or a day off when they wished, without excuse or explanation. The firm had tried to overcome the practice without success, as labour was short and the girls were making good money. "I have not noticed anything unusual," was the reply of the managing director of another company. "Some of the girls always stay away a few extra days, but I have seen nothing to suggest that this Easter has been any worse than last in this respect."