Good Neighbour Policy Pays

13th November 1953, Page 117

13th November 1953

Page 117

Page 120

Page 117, 13th November 1953 — Good Neighbour Policy Pays

Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

in Staff Relations

By E. R. L. Fitzpayne, B.Sc., M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech.E.

General Manager, Glasgow Corporation Transport

(in an interview) • ODAY, the employment manager or personnel super intendent, call him what you will, faces a task incalculably more complicated than that of his forerunners.

In my undertaking, we believe that our organization in personnel matters is on the right lines, but we cannot fail to be aware of the heavy responsibility borne by the superintendent of the department, and his staff, who are not merely engagement agents but in constant touch with employees through out the working day.

During the past 10 years no fewer than 100,000 applicants have been interviewed for employment by my undertaking, but that is only one facet of the work of the personnel department. We spend £100,000 a year on training, a figure that readily conveys something of the volume of its activity.

To produce a qualified bus driver involves an expenditure of around £70 to £80 when due allowance has been made for the man's wages, the vehicle, instructors and other expenses. At one stage, looking at the turnover in driving staff, we came to the conclusion that we were training bus drivers for the whole of Scotland and, in consequence, introduced a form of agreement so that a man who goes through a course of instruction must pay £10 for the privilege of leaving our employment within a year.

Since the beginning of 1945, the personnel department has been under the control of Mr. I. S. Ferrier, fvf.Inst.T., M.I.P.M., who, in the course of his 46 years here, has had practical experience in every depart

ment. Passenger transport, I would suggest, is a rather specialized application for personnel management. As the greater proportion of the employees concerned will not be working under direct supervision, the normal principles must be applied in a rather different manner from that adopted in a factory or warehouse.

One might expect that this opportunity of having a degree of responsibility would influence many men and women in favour of transport work, but in our experience any such advantage is more than outweighed by a general dislike of the shift system and the desire for a five-day week.

However, as members of the personnel department endeavour to explain, shift work is not without advantages for employees who are free when others are working. They are able to enjoy the greater comfort of shopping and attending entertainments in what are the off-peak periods for these activities.

The average person does not like to work when others are free. He feels that all that can reasonably be expected of him is a six-day week. If only Mr. Average Man No. 1 did not expect from Mr. Average Man No. 2 a willingness to provide facilities for his seventh-day recreation!

Quite unnecessarily, some employees have an inferiority complex when comparing their jobs with those of their neighbours. With this in mind, it is important to impress upon them that by far the great majority of the public are usually willing to regard them as their friends.

Too often it is the case that employees meet their manager only when they have broken rules or transgressed some code of conduct. For my part, think it is important that they should hear every commendation.

All communications we in Glasgow receive from the general public with regard to staff matters are examined by Mr. Ferrier, who follows up suggestions or sorts out problems. One letter taken at random from last year's files says: "After alighting, I discovered my purse was missing. The tram was intercepted and the purse returned to me intact. I wish to record my very high appreciation of the courtesy shown and ihe efficient action which was taken to recover my property."

Another reads "I could not help noticing his unfailing care as children and women heavily laden with parcels boarded the bus."

The individuals concerned in such communications are interviewed, and have the opportunity of reading the originals.

(Continued from page 405.)

We have a fortnightly "Traffic Circular which is given to every employee. Apart from service notices and general instructions, this lists commendations as a regular feature. Staff whose actions have been the subject of appreciative letters are mentioned by name. The knowledge that members of the public have taken the trouble to write in often inspires a new keenness in them.

This is a most desirable thing for, all too often, the most conscientious type of employee suffers from a subconscious fear that it is only officiousness which gets noticed.

The total number of employees of the department in 1953 was 11,640 of whom 7,115 came into the traffic category. During the same period, it was necessary to interview no fewer than 8,719 applicants for employment, out of which 4,264 were accepted.

Own Medical Officer Our own medical officer examines all applicants, and of the number mentioned 1,510 were rejected for health reasons (794 on account of defective vision). It is a rather puzzling thing that 421 did not present themselves for the examination.

Last year also brought 4,751 resignations and dismissals, of which 569 left for health reasons, 629 were dismissed because of infringements. and 418 considered the hours unsuitable.

Among interesting facts that have emerged from the medical reports is that the physique of the ex-National Serviceman is superior to that of applicants who had no service training. Altogether the medical staff examined 7,276 persons during the year.

Their routine, incidentally, includes a check-up of all those who have been absent for periods of 28 days or more through illness. In co-operation with the doctor, a rehabilitation scheme exists so that light duty can be arranged, where desirable. A sick pay scheme is in force, the benefit being two-thirds of a week's wages for the first five weeks and half for the next seven.

During the period mentioned, 3,877 pupils passed through the drivers' and conductors' training schools. Platform staff receive six days tuition before going out on vehicles, and during the indoor period emphasis is laid on visual training, considerable use being made of an epidiascope. By this means, it is possible to bring to the attention of the whole class at once the features of, say, a ticket-issuing machine, whereas considerable time would be wasted by passing the machine from hand to hand.

Canteens are an important feature of the welfare arrangements in any undertaking and, here again, because the employees are not static, the angle of approach is necessarily different from that of a factory canteen.

One of our best examples is the canteen attached to Possilpark depot wkich is of rnodern and extremely attractive appearance. These facilities, I feel, are of the utmost importance in minimizing sickness rates, but to provide the greatest advantage something substantial must always be available for the workers. Our canteens in 1953 provided 560,200 breakfasts (a typical menu for which included porridge, bacon and sausage), and these were of inestimable benefit to men and women engaged on the early turns. Main meals numbered 536,200, light meals 2,358,800 and hot beverages 3,446,600.

The knowledge that men of mature judgment can be consulted on personal problems is often helpful to the more responsible type of employee, and each year many thousands of interviews are granted by members of the personnel staff. Advice is given on a wide range of subjects: change of employment, financial and housing difficulties, disablement registration and family troubles.

Recreation for Staff In a large organization, it is possible for a recreational club to provide for a wide variety of interests, and at Glasgow affiliated groups include ambulance work, angling, arts and crafts, athletics, badminton, billiards, boxing, bowling, choirs, cycling, football, golf, orchestra, pipe band, silver band, swimming and whist. I think the fact that upwards of 1,200 meetings of the various sections take place each year provides proof of its vitality.