- "The Good Old Days?"
- Too long, that some may rest, tired millions toil unblessed.
- -Sir William Watson (1858-1935)
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- Have you had a rough week? Consider these work rules of a nineteenth century English printing office.
- The office hours in the composing room will be from 8:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. for four days of the week; on Thursday till 8 P.M., and on Saturday till 2 P.M.. In the pressroom the same hours are to be kept, except that closing is at 8 P.M. on Monday and Friday. All closed days and holidays will be deducted.
- These hours will be subject to such alterations as my be deemed advisable by the overseer when there is a pressure of work. All employees must work overtime when requested. Any journeyman not being in the office at the appointed time will lose a quarter of an hour; if later than ten minutes will lose half an hour; if more than half an hour late he will not be admitted till the next time for commencing work. Apprentices arriving late will forfeit double the value of the time lost, which will be deducted from their wages. Over time will not be allowed until the whole 54 hours have been worked.
- The bell will ring at 8:25 in the morning and by 8:30 o'clock every one will be required to commence work. Engine attendants and stereotypers to be at the office at 8 in the morning. The bell will ring at 1 o'clock for dinner and at 4:30 for tea; work to be continued till the bell is rung, and resumed when the bell is again rung at 2 and 5.
- Luncheon time is abolished, and no person will be allowed to send or bring in refreshments except at the times above indicated. Disregard of this rule will entail dismissal.
- No employee will be permitted to enter any other department without a written authority from his overseer, except he is specially engaged upon some job in that department.
- The value of work or material damaged through carelessness must in all cases be paid for. Any employee leaving without extinguishing his light when leaving, or turning it down when going to work in another part of the office, will be fined. Gas to be lighted by safety matches, and by no other. Any person using lighted paper will be instantly dismissed.
- To avoid the accumulation of pi, every man will be held responsible for all type found near his frame. Dropped letters to be picked up at once, or a fine of 1 p. for each letter will be imposed. Wages will be paid from 2 to 2:30 o'clock on Saturdays.
Copyright (C) 1997 by Frank Granger
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