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A
RATIONAL WAGES
SYSTEM
WORKER A REWARD FOR EFFICIENCY IN
ADDITION TO WAGES
HENRY ATKINSON
ENGINEER EXPERT TO THE MIXED TRIBUNAL, CAIRO
G. BELL AND SONS, LTD.
1917
PREFACE
The question of scientific management, or the replacementof guesswork by a common-sense studyof the principles in economical and efficient production,has not received the consideration itdeserves in this country; but one effect of the warhas been to show the possibilities of increasingproduction by a scientific study of factory methods.
I believe that a much greater amount of interestwill be taken in the subject in future, and the factthat co-operation between the management and theworkers is the first essential to success cannot betoo strongly emphasised.
From my own personal experience of its installationin England, I can only say that, when approachedbroad-mindedly by both sides, the workershave nothing to fear and, indeed, everything togain by it.
This description by Mr. Atkinson should provevery useful in bringing the principles of one branchviof scientific management, that branch which mostnearly affects the workers, to the notice of all concernedin efficiency methods, and it is to be hopedthat it will prepare the way for a better understandingbetween employer and worker.
H. W. ALLINGHAM, M.I.Mech.E.
INTRODUCTORY
It is universally admitted that the war will bringabout great changes in industry. The readjustmentof financial affairs, the greatly increased taxation,the displacement of labour due to the employmentof men now at the front, the dilution of labour bythe employment of women, the development of newi