556 nELL SYSTEM TECHSICAI. JOURXAL 



as orifjinally laid out, together with the expected outputs. His task 

 then heconus one of seeing thai the expected output or better is 

 attained. 



Tliis, in nian\- casi'S. iinolxes a very detailed lime and motion 

 stud\- of the elementar\- oi)erations necessary to complete the job in 

 order that it be brought to a high stale of efficiency. In cases where 

 the expected output cannot be realized by the original method, other 

 methods are worked out wherever possible to bring about the desired 

 result. 



Just a word rigiil lure on our piece rate pf)lic>': when jiiece work 

 was introduced many years ago, the policy was established that 

 after a rale had been once issued it should not be cut unless a change 

 had been maile in the method of manufacture. In other words, we 

 take the stand that an issued rate is a contract which cannot be 

 revoked so long as the operation is done in the same manner as covered 

 by the piece rate card. 



To satisfactorily carry out a policy of this kind, it is obvious that 

 our piece rate setting must be something more than mere stop watch 

 ob.servation. In order that piece rales are established which are 

 accurate and fair to both the employee and the Company, it is neces- 

 sary thai the engineers selling the rates be well versed in the class 

 of work being rated, and have a thorough knowledge of the amount 

 of wf)rk which can be consistently produced by the operators. 



( )ur experience with the straight piece work form of incentive has 

 bet'ii \ery gratifying, and in our opinion this is very largely due to 

 the following three reasons: 



isi. Our policy of not culling rates. 



2nd. (Jur practice of making careful time studies in setting our 

 our rales. 



Urd. Our guaranteeing the employee's day rale regardless of his 

 earnings on the piece rate. 



The work of tin- I'laniiing Engineer is not coni|iietrd, lu)we\ir, 

 upon the establishment of the piece rale, since it still rrsts with him 

 to clear any difficulties the shop may experience due to any short- 

 comings of an\' of the |)lanning work. 



if the raw material providetl will not satisfactorily produce the 

 parts, he is called upon either to add operations or to specify other 

 material; if the tools will not produce the parts to the required accu- 

 racy, or al the recjuired rate, he is called upon to have satisfacloiy 

 changes marie to the tools or to pro\ide new eciuipmenl 



