4O0 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



October, 1907 



Economy in Cooking Space 



paid. A system of saving for this event 

 has been established by a small weekly de- 

 duction being made on the wages, for 

 which the company allows interest. The 

 whole of this sum thus saved, with interest, 

 together with the week's wages, is paid 

 to each person when starting on their 

 holiday. 



At Port Sunlight the workers have a cer- 

 tain number of leisure hours, as the men 

 work only forty-eight hours per week, 

 while the women and girls work forty-five 

 hours. They always have a holiday on Sat- 

 urday afternoon. As they leave the works 

 at 5.30 the other days they have ample time 

 for healthy games in the long twilight 

 evenings and to visit the various clubs and 

 classes at their disposal. 



The consideration for the well being of 

 the employees has proved an undoubted 

 success, not only commercially, but so- 

 cially, and has not only improved the 

 efficiency of the workers, but has added a 

 zest to life generally. In this small colony 



vided by the works by fireproof doors and 

 an automatic sprinkling installation. 



The employers are kept in touch with 

 their employees through the Suggestion Bu- 

 reaus, which are placed in prominent posi- 

 tions in each department of the work and 

 offices. They are invited to write any sug- 

 gestion that may occur to them for the in- 

 creased comfort or well being of the 

 workpeople, or for any improvements in the 

 existing methods of dealing with the work, 

 with a view of preventing waste, curtailing 

 unnecessary expenditure or improving the 

 facilities for labor. Prizes are awarded for 

 the suggestions that are considered most 

 worthy of reward. Over three thousand 

 dollars has been given away in prizes. 



Among the many benefits to employees 

 the valuable aid given through the Em- 

 ployees' Benefit Fund must not be over- 

 looked. It benefits all the employees of 

 the company and the widows and children 

 of deceased employees. The fund is pro- 

 vided solely by the company, no contribu- 

 tions being required from the employees. 



The Employees' Holiclay Club is another very popular 

 institution. It enables all the employees who have been in 

 the company's service for a period of six months to have a 

 yearly holiday of a week, during which time the wages are 



A Port Sunlight Interior 



everything contributes to the betterment of life, and the 

 younger generation have all they need to develop them into 

 good citizens. In the home, in the community, and at the 

 works, each man preserves his dignity as a man. 



