The following Rules and Conditions appeared on the office notice board of a Burnley (UK) cotton mill in 1852.
1. Godliness, cleanliness and punctuality are the necessities of good business.
2. The firm has reduced the hours of work, and the staff will now only have to be present between the hours of 7am and 6pm on weekdays.
3. Daily prayers will be held each morning in the main office. The staff will be present.
4. Clothing must be of a sober nature. The staff will not disport
themselves in raiment of bright colours, nor will they wear hose, unless in good repair.
5. Overshoes and top-coats may not be worn in the office, but neck scarves and headwear may be worn in inclement weather.
6. A stove is provided for the benefit of the staff. Coal and wood must be kept in the locker. It is recommended that each member of the staff bring 4 pound of coal each day during cold weather.
7. No member of the staff may leave the room without the permission of Mr
Dickson. The calls of nature are permitted and staff may use the garden below the second gate. This area must be kept in good order.
8. No talking is allowed during business hours.
9. The craving of tobacco, wines or spirits is a human weakness and, as such, is forbidden to all members of staff.
10. Now that the hours of business have been drastically reduced, the partaking of food is allowed between 11.30am and noon, but work will not, on any account, cease.
11. Members of the staff will provide their own pens. A new sharpener is
available, on application to Mr Dickson.
12. Mr Dickson will nominate a senior clerk to be responsible for the cleanliness of the main office and the private office, and all boys and juniors will report to him 40 minutes before prayers, and will remain after closing for similar work. Brushes, brooms, scrubbers and soap are provided by the owners.
13. The new increased weekly wages are as hereunder detailed: Junior Boys (up to 11 years) ls. 4d; Boys (to 14 years) 2s. ld.; Juniors 4s. 8d.; Junior Clerks 8s. 7d.; Clerks 10s. 9d.; Senior Clerks (after 15 years with the owners) 21s.
The owners recognise the generosity of the new Labour Laws, but will expect a
great rise in output of work to compensate for these near utopian conditions.
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