Milford chronicle., 1937-08-27
Words From A Worker

When labor and political attacks
against industry are the order of the
day, 1t is refreshing to read an en-
| ployee's opinion stating why /
Like to Work for My Company"
Forbes Magazine offered prizes for
such expression. One of the winners
was Walter ]. Held of the Standard
Oil Company of California. In part,
Mr.. Held said:
My company has never caused me
to regret Joining up with it "a years
ago. &
There are two outstanding reasons
for my profound appreciation Of my
company. These are stability of en-
ployment and unlimited possibility
for advancement for everyone.
I During six years of depression, I
never feared my employer failing
me, though the company was ser
iously affected by the same economic
circumstances as other Industrial
enterprises. There has been feast
and famine. chaotic price conditions.
dishonest competition. upsetting leg
Iislation, threats of governmental
competition and increasing taxation.
But my employer intelligently dem
onstrated good citizenship and civic
consciousness.
My company has never disappoint-
ed its $1,000 stockholders, including
many employees, by failing to de-
clare dividend. It's plants have |
never closed due to industrial strife. |
with loss to its legion of workers.
Rates of pay for the rank and file |
have never been cut. In 1881, when
construction work had been COM
pleted and the general slump in bus
ed whereby employees would be
placed on part time. Instead of lay
ing off men, new work was under
taken a year and a half In advance
of requirements. Four-day weeks
were adopted to spread labor. This
plan saved jobs for
8 1000 workers.
It was the first company to estab-
lisb the 8-hour day. with no de-
crease in pay. when work in oil
fields. pipe lines. pumping stations
and refiheries had been on 12-hour
basis.
II was the first to adopt the six
lay week for drilling crews.
II places its employees on
payroll after one has COM
1leted a year of continuous service.
.hus making everyone eligible for
he same privileges.
It grants annual vacations with
ull pay.
Compensation is paid during sick
less and recovery from accident, de-
)ending on length of service. and
'egerdless of whether or not 1t re-
suits from performance of duty.
1t has a liberal pension plan on an
annuity basis.
Undoubtedly the greatest incentive
% all employees is the opportunity 1
or advancement from the ranks to
he highest executive positions. 1t is
for employees to know
hat virtually all company officials
started at the bottom, thus assuring
;ympathetic understanding of the
problems confronting the workers.
)f 12.423 employees on the company
)ayrolls at the end of 1884, 81 per
,ent had ten years or more contin-
lCus service.
With two unimportant exceptions,
10 group of employees has ever 3
truck for any cause originating
within the company, over a period
# 58 years. The company has al S
rays been particularly fair in mat
ers of compensation.
For 25 years continuous service,
We weeks vacation with full pay is
llowed. For every five years there \
fter, six-weeks' vacation with pay m
5 granted.
The company encourages employee
redit unions to aid less fortunate 4
iorkers
Employee associations handle So 8
ial, industrial welfare and collective
argaining of problems. Managers Y
re easily reached by the individual
vorker. Z
Could there he more convincing n
easons Why / Like to Work for My L