THINK
YOU HAVE IT BAD AT WORK?
This notice was found in a London office
building. It was dated 1852.
1. This firm has reduced the hours of work,
and the clerical staff will now only have to be present between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7
p.m.weekdays.
2. Clothing must be of sober nature. The
clerical staff will not disport themselves in raiment of bright colors, nor will they wear
hose unless in good repair.
3. Overshoes and topcoats may not be worn
in the office, but neck scarves and headwear may be worn in inclement weather.
4. A stove is provided for the benefit of
the clerical staff. Coal and wood must be kept in the locker. It is recommended that each
member of the clerical staff bring four pounds of coal each day during the cold weather.
5. No member of the clerical staff may
leave the room without permission from the supervisor.
6. No talking is allowed during business
hours.
7. The craving for tobacco, wine, or
spirits is a human weakness, and as such is forbidden to all members of the clerical
staff.
8. Now that the hours of business have been
drastically reduced, the partaking of food is allowed between 11:30 and noon, but work
will not on any account cease!!
9. Members of the clerical staff will
provide their own pens. A new sharpener is available on application to the supervisor.
10. The supervisor will nominate a senior
clerk to be responsible for the cleanliness of the main office and the supervisor's
private office. All boys and juniors will report to him 40 minutes before prayers and will
remain after closing hours for similar work. Brushes, brooms, scrubbers, and soap are
provided by the owners.
11. The owners recognize the generosity of
the new labor laws, but will expect a great rise in output of work to compensate for these
near Utopian conditions.
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