Staffing of Branches, etc

(Report by General Manager: November 13th 1939)

On the declaration of war, 21 of our staff enlisted. To avoid filling such posts I arranged to eliminate certain routine work and reduced the staff at certain Branches on the assumption that our normal transactions would fall. Returns for the month of September confirmed my opinion.

The reduction in Joint Stock Bank hours, however, compelled me to engage 5 temporary clerks to deal with the banking of cash at Branches where only 2 clerks are employed.

The conversion of three Evening Branches to Daily openings called for a staff of 6 officers. These were found by using the entire staff of Reserve officers.

To help the City Treasurer and Town Clerk in their organisations for A.F.S. and Report Centres, I loaned 9 officers of experience from the 6th September, but had to engage temporary clerks to replace them.

This was followed by a request for my assistance in the payment of A.R.P. and A.F.S. wages to over 7,600 persons each week. This additional work counterbalanced the reduction in normal Banking transactions, and, consequently, Branches had to be restored to full strength, necessitating the engagement of 12 temporary clerks. These 12 clerks would not be required if this extra work did not fall upon the Bank, and therefore I consider that the cost in wages of such 12 clerks is a proper charge upon the A.R.P. and A.F.S. Services and should not be defrayed out of Bank funds.

Ten days ago I was pressed to arrange for the collection of evacuation fees at Branches, and consented to do so. I was told that some 15,000 contributors would have to be dealt with each week, nut no indication could be given as to the districts where pressure was likely to be the greatest. The Chairman and I decided that Branches in the evacuated areas (especially those staffed by two officers) must have an extra clerk, and accordingly 20 temporary appointments were made. The system which has been introduced without any opportunity being given to the Bank to consider the same, is not suited to quick handling at counters, and is wasteful from the point of view of staffing. I have prepared a new and simpler scheme which can be worked along with our normal procedure for dealing with Corporation Accounts, and if this scheme is adopted the extent of additional assistance required will be less than at present. The expense of such extra assistance is not a charge which should fall upon the Bank, but one which the Education Committee or the appropriate Government Department should meet.

Staffing of Branches, etc

(Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 18th 1939)

The General Manager reported to your Sub-Committee that, in order to deal with the payment of Air Raid Precautions and Auxiliary Fire Service wages and the collection of Evacuation Fees, it has been necessary to engage extra temporary staff. In regard to Air Raid Precautions and Auxiliary Fire Service wages it has been agreed that the City Treasurer should reimburse the Bank in respect of 12 clerks at the rate of £2. 14. 0 per week.

With regard to Evacuation Fees, 20 clerks were originally engaged to deal with an estimated number of 15,000 weekly contributors. The returns show, however, that between 4,000 and 5,000 cases only are being dealt with, and the temporary staff has been reduced to 10 clerks, whose remuneration at £2. 14. 0. per week will be met through the Evacuation Expenses account.

To deal with the extra work involved in the sale of Savings Certificates and Defence Bonds, the General Manager has secured the temporary services of Mrs Baker at £3. 0. 0. per week. Mrs Baker was formerly chief cashier of the Bank and had charge of the issue etc of coupons during the Great War. Further assistance may be necessary in this direction if the work increases as a result of the Campaign.

For the three evening branches converted into daily branches six female clerks have been engaged and for the Safe Deposit Department one female clerk. These officers were engaged at the temporary rate of £2. 14. 0. per week, but on transfer to the permanent staff will receive £140 per annum.

For the new branches opened at Smethwick, Kitts Green and Halesowen, it is proposed to engage 6 female clerks.

Your Sub-Committee recommend that the various actions above mentioned in regard to the engagement of temporary and permanent staff as indicated above, be approved and confirmed.

Appointment of Acting Branch Managers

(Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: March 18th 1940)

Your Sub-Committee have given consideration to the position which has arisen in respect of enlistments of officers of the Bank in HM Forces, and the liability upon others to serve; and the consequent effect upon the staffing of the Branches.

It is clear that only two courses are open, viz, to amalgamate branches, and thus ensure a male officer in charge; or to staff some of the existing branches with females and with female Managers in charge. Your Sub-Committee feel that amalgamation of branches should only be adopted as a last resort, because of the misunderstanding which might arise through the temporary closing of a branch and amalgamation with another. There would also be a reduction in deposit and withdrawal transactions if amalgamation took place.

Fortunately, the Bank can rely upon a number of female officers and ex-officers who are sufficiently experienced to take charge of a branch, and, therefore, your Sub-Committee recommend this alternative in preference to amalgamations. Trustee Savings Banks similarly affected are adopting the policy of temporary appointments of female Managers.

To meet the present vacancies in the rank of Managers, it is possible to use male Cashiers, and this course will be followed until it becomes necessary to appoint female Managers. The male Cashiers acting as Managers would do so by rota for a period not exceeding six months at a time.

Your Sub-Committee are further of opinion that officers of lower grade while acting as Branch Managers should receive some additional remuneration for the duties and responsibilities of office, but consider that the payment should be by way of a weekly allowance, and not by increase of salary. They, therefore, recommend that, subject to the approval of the Salaries, Wages and Labour Committee, an allowance of 10/- per week in addition to normal salary be made to such officers acting temporarily as Managers, and that such allowance be paid also to such officers in charge of branches during holiday or sick leave of the regular Manager, providing the relief extends for a period of one week or longer.

It is not proposed to make any permanent appointment or promotion during the war, so that the claims of officers serving with HM Forces will not be prejudiced; but within six months after demobilisation the position will be reviewed, and such appointments or promotions made as may then be necessary.

Your Sub-Committee recommend that L A Wright, who has been acting as Manager for 7 months, shall be treated as an exceptional case and retained in that position for the duration of the war, and that he be granted an increase of £10 from the 1st April 1940, which will bring him to the maximum for the grade, viz, £385 per annum. In his case no extra allowance would be paid.

In the case of W A Camwell, who has already been approved on trial as Acting Manager, it is proposed to make the allowance to him of 10/-d. per week as from the 1st April 1940, but his salary of £270 will stand until the expiration of his 12 months' trial period, when the position will be reviewed.

In the cases of B P Hayward and J L E Edwards, who were in charge of evening branches and retained in that capacity when such branches were converted into daily branches, the Committee in October last approved an increase in salary of £10, but it is now recommended that that decision should be rescinded, and the officers placed on the same footing as others, and receive the allowance of 10/- per week.