“Welfare work,” which is now so prominent a feature of industrial life, is another new idea which has been taken up, though only to a limited extent, in the modern newspaper office.
In some offices it had existed, under the various guises of pension funds, benevolent funds, and thrift schemes, long before industry began to look upon welfare as part and parcel of its ordinary activities, and there are signs that newspaper firms are giving it a more prominent place in their outlook upon the well-being of those who serve them.
National Dailies like Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Amrita Bazar Patrika, Times of India, The Statesman and a few others have introduced welfare ideas into their offices.
The work has many aspects which reflect its usefulness and value in the contribution it makes to the comfort and happiness of those who participate in its benefits. In many cases social halls, canteens, and sports grounds are provided, and are greatly appreciated by those who make use of them.
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In several newspapers special bulletins are published solely for circulation amongst the staff. They keep alive a healthy spirit of comradeship amongst the various departments and serve as a useful link between the management and the personnel.
Committees of representatives of the employees themselves generally take a considerable share of responsibility on the social side of these schemes, but a judicious supervision of welfare activities and the stimulation of interest in them amongst all grades of employees may be taken as part of the managerial function.
The temporary loss of man-power through sickness has long been recognized as a heavy burden on the industry, and much valuable investigation has been carried out with a view to its prevention. Management keeps a careful eye on the health of its workers, not simply from motives of benevolence, but with an eye to economy of losses as well. Health conditions of employment are a prime necessity, and it is a vital duty of the management to see that they are provided.
The different departments of a large printing office have their own special needs in regard to ventilation and safeguards against ailments incidental to the work which is carried on.
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In addition to the provision of such safeguards as are dictated by commonsense and ordinary consideration for the comfort of the staff, it is part of the duty of a newspaper executive to see that all the exacting statutory requirements in regard to conditions of employment, accident precautions, etc., are carried into effect.