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FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: March 11th 1940

REPORT ON STAFFING OF BRANCHES AND OTHER STAFF MATTERS

The Chairman of the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee, with the Chairman of the Bank Committee (Alderman Barrow), Alderman Morland and the General Manager, have considered the problems of staffing Branches during the War, and other staff matters, and make the following recommendations:

 

1. Application by H G Corles.

 

It is not considered desirable to increase his salary because he is temporarily discharging the duties of a Branch Manager, but it is felt that a case exists for granting a monetary allowance to any officer so acting, and recommendations on this point are later made in this Report.

 

2.Appointments as Acting Branch Managers.

 

To meet some of the requirements of the vacancies it will be possible to use male cashiers as Managers, but the position arising through enlistments and the liability of others for service with the Forces is such that the two courses only are open, viz: to amalgamate Branches, or appoint female Managers for certain Branches. It is strongly felt that amalgamation of Branches should be the last resort, because the closing of a Branch may be misunderstood, and in any event would result in less deposit and withdrawal transactions. It would be wise to maintain all the Branches as long as possible, and this can be done by appointing suitable female officers as Managers at suitable Branches where a staff of not less than four officers is necessary. Fortunately, the Bank can rely upon several female officers and ex-officers of experience for this duty. Trustee Savings Banks, similarly places, are adopting the same course.

 

It is therefore proposed to utilise the services by rota of such male cashiers as may be available for duty as Branch Managers, and the services of suitable female officers and ex-officers for the same duty.

 

It is considered that such officers will undertake increased responsibilities whilst acting as Manager during the War. In peace time also, during eight months in the year, it is necessary to find reliefs for Managers on holiday leave, and it is considered that such acting appointments should be treated similarly in War and Peace, where the relief is required for one week or more.

 

Having regard to the additional responsibilities which acting Managers must assume, it is considered proper to grant a monetary allowance to such officers, payable for the time they are so acting, and that an appropriate sum would be 10/-d per week, over and above the normal salary received by such officers, and it is recommended accordingly.

 

3. Permanent Branch Manager vacancies.

 

To fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of G F Lewis, it is proposed to appoint L A Wright and grant him an increase of £10 at the 1st April 1940, which will bring him to the maximum for the Grade, viz: £385.

 

To fill the vacancy caused by the death of W J Woollons, the Committee have already approved the appointment of W A Camwell on trial for twelve months, and this decision should stand. It is, however, considered proper that Camwell should receive the monetary allowance of 10/-d per week mentioned in No 2 above, whilst acting as Manager. He is now receiving £270 per annum.

 

4.Evening Branch Managers.

 

At the outbreak of War, Tower Hill and Wells Green Evening Branches were converted into Daily Branches and the two Audit Clerks (B P Hayward and J L E Edwards) in charge of such Branches, were retained in the capacity as Managers. It is not proposed to disturb this temporary arrangement, which will apply for the duration of the War. Both officers are receiving salaries of £290 and have been approved for a further increase of £10 in April 1940. These officers should be placed on the same footing as other officers acting as Managers, and receive the monetary grant of 10/- per week in addition to their present salary, but the increase of the £10 referred to above should not apply.

 

It is recommended accordingly.

 

5. Period for attaining maximum salaries.

 

It has not been the practice of the Bank to fix a period of years during which an officer may attain the maximum salary for his Grade, but each case has been considered on its merits at the Annual Review of Salaries. Certain officers who have not received an increase for two or more years are now recommended for increases.

 

6. Promotions from Grade A to Grade B.

 

The question of promotions from Grade A (General Clerks) to Grade B (Cashiers) has also been considered. Grade A provides for a commencing salary of £55 at age 16, rising by fixed yearly increments to £260 at age 29. It is considered proper that promotion to the Grade of a cashier should follow in the case of all officers whose service and conduct have been satisfactory, but that a distinction in the period of the promotion should be made between those who have obtained the professional qualification of an Associate of the Institute of Bankers, shall be promoted to Grade B after remaining one year at the maximum rate for Grade A, and officers not possessing such qualification shall be promoted to Grade B after remaining two years at the maximum rate for Grade A.

 

In two cases (Newcombe, aged 32, and Cooper, aged 31), increments were withheld for several years because of failure to pass examinations. Both officers have, however, made progress since 1937, with the result that Newcombe has only two subjects to pass, and Cooper, one subject. It would be unfair to further penalise these officers, and they are recommended for promotion from Grade A to Grade B with an increase in salary.

 

7. Increases of salary.

 

In accordance with the recommendations in paragraphs 5 and 6, the following increases are recommended to take effect as and from the 1st April 1940:

 

Male Officers
W Brown	£10
B Cooper	£10
H G Corles	£10
R E Crofts	£10
R H Earp	£10
F Fitzpatrick	£10
A T Guest	£10
W L Hannah	£10
E A Howlett	£10
W James	£10
E R Jennings	£10
B A Law	£10
N L Newcombe	£10
E Price	£15
R W G Rowe	£10
W H Stanton	£10
R H Tafft	£10
W J R Tooby	£15
H A Turner	£10
K R Willingham	£10

 

Female Officers
Miss Bradley	£5
"     A CBrown	£5
"     A C Brown	£10
"     Bullock	£10
"     Carver	£5
"     Cottrell	£5
"     Cowley	£5
Mrs  Dee	£5
Miss Gregory	£10
"     Lewis	£15
"    Meggs	£5
"     O'Malley	£10
"     Otty	£5
"     Rayner	£5
"     Searle	£5
"     Waller	£5

 

March 5th 1940