Office Rules 100 Years Ago

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31116, 20 July 1966, Page 6

Office Rules 100 Years Ago

Not to be outdone by recent historical finds in the New Zealand Workers’ Union the New Zealand Clothing Workers’ Federation yesteiN day unearthed a set of office rules, drawn up more than 100 years ago by a firm of merchants. The rules for clerical staff of the day, said the federation’s general secretary (Mr R. A. Hill) showed the value of the trade union movement The rules included:— 1. Daily jmyers will be bold each morning in the main office. Clerical staff will be present 2. Godliness, cleanliness and punctuality are toe necessities of a good business. 3. Clothing must be of a sober nature. The clerical staff will not disport themselves in raiment of bright colours, nor will they wear hose, unless in good repair. 4. Overshoes and top eoats may not be worn in the office, but neck scarves and headwear may be worn in inclement weather.

5. A stove is provided for the benefit of the clerical staff. Coal and wood must be kept in the locker. It is recommended that each member of the clerical staff brings 41b of coal each day, in the cold weather. 6. No member of the (fierieal ataff may leave the room without the permission of Mr Smith. The calls of nature are permitted and the clerical staff may use the garden below the second gate. This must be kept in good order.

T.—No talking is allowed during business hours. 8. The craving for tobacco, wines and spirits is a human weakness, and, as such, is forbidden to all members of the clerical staff. 9. —Now that the hours of business have been drastically reduced, the partaking of food is allowed between 11.30 im. and noon, but work will not, on any account, cease. 10. Members of the clerical staff will provide their own pens. Footnote.—The owners recognise the generosity of the labour laws, but will expect a great rise in output of work to compensate for these near utopian conditions.