The record-union., 1896-01-03
what Constitutes a Faithful Fmploye 2

What Constitutes Faithful Fmployes
Eds. Record Union: quote the
following from well-conducted news
paper:
Every faithful employe will consti-
tute himself the guardian of his en-
pIoyer's property The man who will
either waste what is intrusted to his
care, or encourage such waste in Others
is unworthy of confidence, and, should
he ever become the head of a business,
will deserve to be treated in the same
way"
There are comparatively few work.
men who seem to realize that in these
days of close competition, the prosperity
and continuation of a manufacturing
company. as we'll as their ability to
promptly pay fair wages and keep their
men employed, depends largely upon
the observation of the strictest econ
omy. Yet, Notwithstanding that the
prosperity of the worlzmen depends al
most wholly upon the success of the en-
ployer, how many there are who either
carelessiy or wilIfully squander not only.
the property Of their employer, but also
what is equally valuable, the time
which the latter pays for, not TAX
ing into consideration that any fair
minded employer would rather expend
in increased wages the amount saved
by economical observance than to have
the same wasted. A little waste of time
and stock by each workman, though
seeming trivial, yet among a large num-
Der of hands amounts TO a. large sum in
the aggregate. A fine, close workman,
who takes a deep interest in his busi-
ness, usually keeps his machine, bench
and tools in good order while a care
less, Indifferent one, instead Of repair
ing, or notifying his foreman that his
machine is in need of repairs, says, st
is none Of my business" and works on
until it is entirely disabled, and conse-
quently requiring an otherwise unneces-
sary sacrifice of time while it lies idle
added to increased expense for repairs.
Perhaps an employe sees 81 quantity
OF material carelessly left where
It viii deteriorate or be spoiled,
but instead of taking care of it
or notifying the propr officer, he
allows it TO remain and be injured o.
destroyed. consoling himself with the
thought that 1T is none of my loss any
way" The following is from another
paper. sensible and Just, as far as II
goes, but does not fully cover the
ground:
Not infrequently the workman re-
trains from protecting his employers
rights and property because by so doing
it viii entail additional labor or car
upon himself or impose a responsibility
which he does not wish to assume.
Some seem to think there is no obliga-
tion incurred by them when engaging
themselves to work except such as is in
cluded IN the rule OF doing the least
work for the most pay. Such men
shuttle through their labors, sighting
the work here, wasting material there,
squandering all the time they can, and
thinking of no ones interest save their
own. This class of worknen are the
first to be dismissed wnen hard times
come. When wages fail theirs are the
first to be lowered. II the force of the
shop, by reason of slack trade. has to be
curtalled, they are the ones selected to
leave. Self-interest teaches the manu-
faeturer to give the bess places and the
largest remuneration TO his most faith
ful workmen. This is not only natural
but right and commendable. The en-
ploye who thinks most of doing his
work well and Of subserving his en-
ployer's interests, and less OF combina-
tions and strikes, viii succeed the best
and rise the highest and the most rap
idly in the scale Of prosperity"
The ground that the writer of the
foregoing excellent article does not
cover is the fact that the proprietor who
employs great number Of hands does
not have the necessary time to spare
from otherimperative duties toascertain
each individual case VINO are and who
are not the most profitable and deserv-
ing, nor can it be reasonably expected
that be should, and if, as is usually the
case, most subordinate officers are so
constantly occupied in distributing the
work and seeing tho1 it is properly
done, added to other important duties,