Full text: Report on profit-sharing and labour co-partnership in the United Kingdom

OPINIONS OF EMPLOYERS. 
71 
“ We cannot say that extra zeal on the part of the rank and file is 
very evident, hut the more intelligent the worker the more highly 
“ he or she appreciates the system. 
“ During its operation we have apportioned nearly £100,000 as the 
u workers’ share of our profits. Undoubtedly a part of this is the 
result of the increased interest of our workers, but to what extent 
“it is impossible to say, certainly not all. We have never advocated 
“ the system as enabling an employer to make more money for himself, 
“ but as a benefit mainly to the workers, without too great cost to the 
“ employer. 
“ While there can be no guarantee of industrial peace, the com- 
“ munity of interests fostered by the system undoubtedly promotes 
“ harmonious relations between employer and employed and thus 
“ reduces the risk of labour disputes to a minimum.” 
“ K. K.” writes : — 
“We have every reason to be satisfied with the working of the 
“ scheme. There is a general good tone amongst our people and a 
“ keen interest in the prosperity of the Company, particularly on the 
“ part of old servants. It is impossible to estimate the money effect 
“ on the Company, but our feeling is that we lose nothing and probably 
“ gain something by the scheme. We attach much importance to the 
“ fact that no one has ever been promised anything in the way of 
“ Bonus; it has come as an agreeable surprise and as a gift. We keep 
“ the Bonus as private as ppssible both as regards the names of the 
“ participants and the amounts of Bonus and the method of 
“ calculation.” 
Mr. Tom Morley, printer, writes; — 
“ My opinion is that after receiving the Bonus a few times, it is 
“ taken as being part of the wages and does not make much difference, 
“ except in isolated cases, but 1 think it helps to make things run a 
“ little smoother.” 
Messrs. Humphries & Bobbett, corn millers, write : — 
“ We have had no friction with our men at all.” 
Messrs. Hollason & Jones, brace, belt, and garter web manu 
facturers, write : — 
“ In our opinion profit-sharing has been satisfactory to a certain 
“ extent. We consider that the nature of the scheme, which is only a 
“ partial one, prevents it being as satisfactory as it might be. We 
“ think that to be perfectly satisfactory the amount given as Bonus, 
“ or at least a part of it, should be left in as capital and a dividend 
“ paid on this capital, at the same rate as the ordinary capital of the 
“ firm or Company. We think that arrangements of this kind do tend 
“ to promote harmonious relations between employer and employed, 
“ but it is impossible to say to what extent. Speaking for ourselves, 
“ there have been no strikes or serious disputes here.” 
Messrs. Wyles Bros., Ltd., wholesale boot and shoe merchants, 
write: — 
“ Our experience of Profit-sharing amongst the general employees is, 
“ that it is very much appreciated by all concerned and with us has 
“ been very successful. The best of feeling prevails amongst the 
“ employees, and labour disputes are unknown to us. Several of our 
“ employees have been with the firm between 20 and 30 years. 
“ The prospect of receiving a Bonus at the end of the year 
“ undoubtedly calls forth extra zeal on the part of the employees, who 
“ are aware this payment annually is quite optional on the part of 
“ Directors and is subject to satisfactory trading results.” 
Mr. Daniel Cameron, of Messrs. D. Cameron & Son, builders, 
writes: — 
“ The giving a Bonus certainly promoted zeal and greater interest. 
“ But with some natures it promotes arrogance and a sense of over- 
“ importance and sometimes cheekiness. But to the prudent and 
“ discreet it makes better servants throughout and prevents the incli- 
“ nation to strike and causes those who are getting a Bonus to sever
	        
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