Results.
The results of the preliminary work we have done are as follows:
1. The interest in fatigue becomes more vital. We have aroused more interest in fatigue elimination, and have made it general. With the establishment of properly distributed rest periods, chairs, seats, etc., the recovery process becomes interesting. As he knows how resting improves his working conditions, the worker becomes more warmly interested in the fatigue itself. It is a very different thing to talk about the evils of fatigue, or even to see the advantages of proper rest exhibited in object lessons, than it is to get proper rest in a specially designed chair for the first time in one’s working life. Fatigue, which was an enemy, becomes now not only my enemy, but our enemy—mine, because I recognize it has affected me; ours, because we are fighting it together for our best interests, severally and collectively.
2. The interest in fatigue becomes more intelligent. Many workers, especially women, feel that it is to be expected that they will get exceedingly tired by night; that one cannot expect to do so much late in the day as early in the day; that stopping to rest is cutting down one’s output, thus cheating one’s self, if one is a piece rate worker, or cheating the management, if one is a day rate worker. The worker now comes to realize that he hurts the management and himself, when he gets too tired. “It is your duty to rest when you need it;” that is the fourth slogan. It must be remembered also that the rest periods provide time for clearer and more intelligent thinking. It is impossible to come to any valid conclusion when one is working at top speed part of the day, and in a state of exhaustion the rest of the time. We have now an opportunity to think, and brains rested enough with which to think.
3. The output increases. Usually, in practice, the output increases as a result of the fatigue-recovery periods. Increased outputs encourage both management and worker. They must, however, be inspected and controlled. Some one with the proper training must be in charge, that excessive fatigue may not be accumulated, and the rest periods lose their purpose. With the increase in output must come added compensation in wages. If this is provided, the fatigue eliminating campaign will not be regarded as a new scheme for driving the worker. Better for the good of the management and the men to limit the output to its usual amount during this period, until the workers see that too much fatigue to-day interferes with the standard quantity of output to-morrow, than to attempt to allow increased output without increased pay. The world can better afford to lose the extra product, than the management to appear even for a moment to be trying to overwork the men.
4. The spirit of co-operation grows. The worker realizes instinctively, if the survey has been properly made, and if this preliminary work has been properly done, that the aim of fatigue study is the good of all concerned. There is a psychological element to this. It might be possible to question the motive of installing fatigue eliminating devices. There is no question as to the motive in installing the resting devices and rest periods. The rest periods allow time for development of the social spirit. “To know all is to understand all,” a wise Frenchman has said. “I like every one whom I know,” is the thought of another wise man. “Let’s go at the fatigue survey all together,” is the fifth slogan. The Home Reading Box Movement is, perhaps, the channel where this spirit of co-operation expresses itself most freely.