The labor world., 1898-01-29
WATCHING EMPLOYEES.
How Financial institutions and Other!
Keep Track of Their Men.

How Financial Institutions and Others
Keep Track of Their Men.
1t has become the custom else
where, and it is generally true in
this city, that the employees in
financial institutions are .equired
to give bond, the amounts varying
with the degree of responsibility of
the duties which they perform. In
addition to this, however, a super
vision, varying in method, is main
tained over each employee.
1t is believed that the cultivation
of expensive habits, the contraction
of debts which indicate that en-
ployees are living beyond their sal
aries, and the association with un-
desirable characters all may be
looked upon as furnishing ground
for suspicion that, if the employee
has not actually committed breach
of trust, he is in fair way to
meet a temptation which may prove
too much for him.
1t is therefore not unusual for
an employee in such an institution
to receive summons to appear be'
fore the controlling official, and
kindly, but firmly, to be given the
option to change his course Of life
or to leave the institution. -
It is also felt by those who are in
terested in the management Of such
enterprises that the confidence OF
the public is apt to be impaired
when they know that men of bad
habits and those keeping improper
company are employed in that con.
cern. tits therefore on this ground,
as we'll as for the better security OF
the funds which are intrusted tc
their keeping, that financial institu.
tions are in the habit of keeping such
a close watch. over the daily lives
of their employees. .,..:.>..z.. .G:s
In the case of mercantile estab.
lishments, both large and small, in
this city, it is not the custom to re-
quire bonds of employees except in
the cases of few, Nevertheless,
the, proprietors of such establish.
ments find it necessary to guard
against the danger of the dishonesty
of employees, and it is stated that
one of the best methods known tc
modern business men is that of not.
ing the habits and the way of living
Of the employees. r.. y I = = ',..,: =.
In all large establishments there
are a certain number of employees
who occupy confidential positions.
They are supposed to keep the mem.
bers of the firm posted in regard tc
what is going on among the force
Of employees, and they, in turn, are
inspected by the members Of the
firm. 1t is a matter Of everyday oc.
currence that the head of a large es
tablishment is notified that some
employee has made some purchase
or acquired some article, perhaps Of
as small Importance as wearing ap
parel, which seems to be an indica
tion of extravaganza.
f. Such a hint is very apt to lead tc
an investigation, and the head Of
the house is soon put in possession
of facts which show how the suspect
ed employee spends his time outside
of business hours, who are his asso
ciates and other facts of similar
character. If what is learned seem:
to warrant it, the employee il
warned that he must change his
mode of life. It is believed that by
following such methods the begin
nings of wrongdoing are checked
and employees having knowledge
of the requirements of the firm i1
this particular are in a measure for
titled to resist temptation to fall i1
evil ways.-Washington Star.