WSR1: Shape for the future?

Abstract

NOT THE NAME OF A NEW TYPE OF HOVERCRAFT OR A LUNAR module, but the label attached by management to a film report for the British Oxygen Company on a new wages policy linked with changes in management practice and work‐force structure. E. J. B. Leach, Divisional Personnel Manager of the Gases Division of BOG told us all about it recently, at the British Industrial Film Festival in Brighton. In introducing a new productivity agreement in 45 works scattered all over the country senior management wished to inform all staff as quickly and accurately as possible. Film seemed a good way of doing this. So WAGES STRUCTURE REVIEW No. 1 was made by their own in‐plant film unit to permit the managing director personally to address some 3,000 administrative staff and 4,000 shop‐floor personnel at their individual places of work. It was a film assignment which involved travel all over the country for the film‐makers since the essence of the project was not only to present management policy but also to record the varied reactions of individuals to the preliminary information they had received about it. Nor was it simply a question of getting an agreed policy over to the workers. Individual managers had to be convinced themselves of the value of the new scheme and each of the 7,000 managers, technicians and workers had to see their place in the new set‐up. By presenting the film as near simultaneously as possible at each of 45 works misunderstandings could be avoided, rumour scotched, and discussion and constructive comment promoted.

Citation

HUGHES, A.M. (1969), "WSR1: Shape for the future?", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 43-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb003032