^ , —,
f
CmPLOYEE'S
HfiflDBOOK
Wo r \> z» 7s p w Vw tj
USEFUL INFORMATION
ABOUT YOUR WPA JOB
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
f OR THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Brehen Somervell Administrator
r
EMPLOYEE'S
HfinDBOOK
USEFUL INFORMATION
ABOUT YOUR WPA JOB
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Brehon Somervell :: Administrator
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
WALKER-JOHNSON BUILDING
1734 NEW YORK AVENUE NW.
WASHINGTON, D, C.
HARRY L. HOPKINS
ADMINISTRATOR
December 1, 1938.
To All Project Employees:
There is nothing in the world so
' self-satisfying as loyalty, honesty, and
a worthwhile job done well. This applies to
all workers regardless of where they are
employed.
Our thoughts and actions should be
guided by these characteristics.
U. S. WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
For the C«ty of New York
70 COLUMBUS AVE., NEW YORK, N. Y.
BREHON SOMERVELL
administrator
December 1, 1938.
To All Project Employees:
"Can I make up time lost because of illness? Do
I get compensation if I am hurt on the job? Should X
take a job in private industry?"
The above questions and numerous others have
been asked by project employees from time to time.
Because I feel that it is the duty of every employee
to know the answers to these questions, this booklet
was prepared.
It is intended as a ready reference to aid you
in ironing out your problems. While the rules and
regulations included are not necessarily permanent,
they will serve you as a helpful guide.
Most of the questions and answers apply to all
WPA employees, but all of them apply to security wage
employees with relief status. If you have any doubt
whether a rule applies to you or not, ask your Foreman
Supervisor or Personnel Manager about it.
I hope you will find this Handbook useful.
Sincerely,
Brehon Somervell
Administrator
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
OF
INTEREST TO WPA EMPLOYEES
CONTENTS
Wages and Hours 11
Illness 15
Holidays—Jury or Military Duty 19
Jobs in Industry 23
Accidents and Compensation- 27
Safety 33
Transfers and Promotions 35
Complaints 39
Workers' Organizations 43
Working Conditions - 47
Termination 51
General , » „ 55
Four Week Fiscal Period Calendar 59
WAGES AND HOURS
11
WAGES AND HOURS
Keep your Timekeeper informed of your correct
address or your pay check may be delayed.
12
WAGES AND IIOHIIS
(J. How often will I be paid?
A. Once every two weeks, with the exception of
mechanics, who are generally paid once each four-week
fiscal period.
Q. Where will I be paid?
A. Checks will be mailed to your home address.
Therefore, be sure your Timekeeper is informed of your
correct address at all times.
Q. Do I get my pay immediately at the end
of a work period?
A. There is a short period required to make up
the pay checks and mail them.
Q- What is a four-week fiscal period?
A. The year is divided into thirteen periods of
four weeks each. (See chart at back of book.)
'!• Is my pay reduced when I am late for
work?
A. Yes. Employees paid on an hourly basis (se¬
curity-wage employees) who report late for work, will
be charged for absence in half-hour units; that is, late¬
ness of less than thirty minutes will be charged as one-
half hour—lateness of thirty-one minutes to one hour
will be charged as an hour, etc. No provision is made
for making up time so lost, and repeated lateness may
mean dismissal.
13
WAGES AND HOURS
Q. If mv check docs not arrive on time,
what should I do about it?
A. See your Timekeeper, or WPA Supervisor.
Q. If the fiscal period is drawing to a close
and I have not as yet been scheduled to com¬
plete my full quota of hours, what shall I
do?
A. Bring the matter to the attention of your Fore¬
man or immediate WPA Supervisor.
Q. Do I get paid when the job is temporarily
closed.down because of bad weather or lack
of materials?
A. No, but you will be permitted to make up such
lost time.
Q. If I report for work but find the job is
closed down because of bad weather, will I
be paid?
A. You will be credited for one hour's work. (This
applies to laborers only.)
14
ILLNESS
15
ILLNESS
F D.
If you are sick notify your Foreman or
Supervisor immediately.
16
ILLNESS
Q. III am sick, should I notify my Foreman
or WPA Supervisor?
A. Yes, you should do so within two working days
from the first day of absence. If you don't and you are
absent for more than 1/3 of your assigned hours during
a four-week fiscal period, you may be dismissed for
"Irregular Attendance."
Q. Should I obtain a certificate from my
Doctor or Clinic showing the cause of my
illness?
A. Yes, if the absence is more than three days.
Give the certificate to your Foreman or immediate WPA
Supervisor.
Q. Can I be paid for time lost because of
illness?
A. No, but such time, if not more than thirty days
and if you are not dismissed for "Irregular Attendance,"
can be made up.
Q. Can I be reinstated if I am dismissed for
"Irregular Attendance" but can prove the
absence was because of illness?
A. Yes, if the absence is not more than thirty
days, and also in some cases if the absence is more than
thirty days. Time lost prior to reinstatement cannot
be made up.
17
ILLNESS
Q. What proof tlw I need to show that I was
absent because of illness?
A. 1. If the absence is not more than 3 days, you
will be required to sign Form 556 "Certificate of Allow¬
able Lost Time" certifying that the absence was due to
illness. This form may be obtained from your Person¬
nel Manager or Timekeeper.
2. If the absence is over 3 days but not more than
10 days, present a certificate from your doctor or hospi¬
tal that the absence was due to illness, or a certificate
to that effect signed by you and 2 persons having knowl¬
edge of the illness, who are not members of your family.
3. If the absence is over 10 days but not more than
30 days (or if there has been more than one absence
during the fiscal period) present a certificate from your
doctor or hospital covering a major portion of the
period of absence.
Q. How do I apply for reinstatement after
illness?
A. Present the certificate or statement referred to
in preceding question to the Intake and Assignment
Department, 70 Columbus Avenue.
Q. If I am ill, will I get free medical atten¬
tion from WPA?
A. No. You should go to a New York City Clinic
or a New York City Hospital, if you cannot afford a
private physician.
18
HOLIDAYS
JURY OR MILITARY DUTY
19
HOLIDAYS - •IIJ1IY Oil MILITARY DUTY
Time lost because of holidays, military or jury
duty usually can be made up.
20
HOLIDAYS - JURY OK MILITARY DUTY
Q. How- do I apply for military leave?
A. Give the official order or copy of such order
requiring attendance for military training to your Fore¬
man or WPA Supervisor in advance. If the order is a
general order and does not mention your name, it must
be accompanied by a letter from your immediate com¬
mander. Within one week after returning to work, give
your Foreman or Supervisor a certificate from your
immediate or higher commander stating the actual
period of attendance of military duty.
Q. Can I make up time lost because of mili¬
tary duty?
A. Yes, but such time must be made up during
the same four-week fiscal period in which the time
was lost, or the first succeeding fiscal period.
Q. What days are holidays?
A. New Year's Day, Lincoln's and Washington's
Birthdays, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Armistice Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Q. Will I get paid for holidays if I don't
work?
A. No, but you will be permitted to make up the
time so lost.
21
HOLIDAYS - .11111 Oil MILITARY IIIJTY
Q. 4'an I make up lime lost while a^igoed
to jury duty?
A. No, hut whenever possible your work schedule
for the four-week fiscal period will be changed, so that
you may complete your full number of hours for that
period.
22
JOBS IX INDUSTRY
23
.IOKS IIV INDUSTRY
jobs in imu sthv
Q. If I have an opportunity to got an out¬
side job, should I take it?
A. Yes, the purpose of WPA is to provide unem¬
ployed persons, who are in need, with useful work until
they can get back to outside employment. Every WPA
worker should keep on the look-out for an outside job.
(j. If I get an outside job and lose it, can I
get back in WPA?
A. Yes, if you lost your outside job through no
fault of your own, you may be reemployed by WPA
immediately, subject to later proof of need.
Q. Where should I apply for reinstatement
after employment in industry?
A. Apply to the Intake and Certification Section,
70 Columbus Avenue.
Q. What is the New York State Employ¬
ment Service?
A. The chain of State Employment offices at which
a jobless worker may apply for work. This is a free
service which will try to place you on a private job.
You should register.
Q- Where do I go to register at the New
York State Employment Service?
A. You will find the address of the nearest office
in the telephone book under New York State Employ¬
ment Service.
25
.IOIIS IV INDUSTRY
l(. May I lime off for an inlorviow for
oiitsule <>niplo.vmt'n(, or to lake a Civil Ser¬
vice or other Examination?
A. Yes. Ask your immediate WPA Supervisor for
time off in advance. He will give you the time off if
he is satisfied that you are following a definite lead for
an outside joh.
Q. Will I be paid for time spent in inter¬
views for jobs in industry?
A. No, hut whenever possible, your work schedule
for the four-week fiscal period will be changed, so that
you may complete your full number of hours for that
period.
26
ACCIDENTS
AND COMPENSATION
27
ACCIDENTS AND COMPENSATION
If you arc injured on the job you receive medical
attention.
28
ACCIDENTS AND COMPENSATION
Q. If I a■■■ injured on the job, do I receive
free medical attention?
A. Yes, immediately.
Q. What should I do if I am injured or a
fellow worker is injured as a result of an
accident on the job?
A. Obtain First Aid treatment and report the acci¬
dent to your Foreman or immediate Superior imme¬
diately. If the accident is a serious one, phone the
Police Department for an ambulance.
Q. Do my wages continue if I am hurt on
the job?
A. No, but you get compensation pay if you are
unahle to work as a result of the injury.
Q. How much compensation do I get?
A. If you are unable to work, compensation pay¬
ments will be made at the rate of 66 2/3 per "cent of the
monthly wage, but not in excess of $50.00 a month for
the period of disability, up to a total payment of
$4,000.00.
Q. When does my compensation pay begin?
A. The fourth day from the beginning of disability.
Q. W hat is the amount of compensation in
case of death caused by injury received on
the job?
A. In case of death, caused by injury received on
the job, the amount of compensation payments varies
29
ACCIDENTS AND COMPENSATION
according to the amount of monthly salary and the
number of dependents of the deceased employee. In
no case will the total amount of compensation exceed
$4,000.00 exclusive of medical and funeral expenses.
Funeral expenses may he allowed up to $200.00.
Q. If my disability exceeds 15 days will an
assignment be given to another employable
member of my family during the period of
my disability?
A. Yes, provided a suitable opening can be found.
Q. When I am able to return to work will I
be given preference In assignment to an
available project position at my normal oc¬
cupation or at another occupation for
which I am qualified?
A. Yes.
Q. Where can I And out more about my
compensation pay when I am not able to
work because of an accident?
A. Apply to your Timekeeper or WPA Supervisor.
Further information may be secured from the Com¬
pensation Clerk covering your project or from the
Borough Compensation Supervisor, whose name and
address or telephone number will be furnished by the
Timekeeper.
30
ACCIDENTS AND COMPENSATION
Q. Can I make up time lost beeause I am
hurt on the job?
A. Yes. If an employee is disabled for fifteen
days or less because of an injury received on the job,
he will be permitted to make up enough time to earn
the difference between the compensation payment and
the amount of pay lost because of the injury.
Q. Should I report all injuries?
A. Yes, even minor cuts and scratches. Report
injuries immediately to your Foreman or WPA Super¬
visor and get first aid treatment. Failure to report
immediately may result in loss of Compensation benefits.
31
SAFETY
Report unsafe conditions to your Foreman or
Supervisor.
32
SAFETY
33
SAFETY
In if a part of my job to look after my
own safety?
A. Yes, you should be careful at all times so you
will not get hurt or hurt your fellow-employees.
t|- Should Nafety equipment be provided to
proleet me from injury?
A. Yes, your Foreman or WPA Supervisor will
provide you with goggles, safety belts, life-lines, etc., to
protect you against possible injury.
Q. Should 1 report defeetive tools?
A. Yes, it is very important that you do so. For
example, report cracked wedges, mushroomed drills,
dull axes or insecure handles on tools.
<}. Should I report unsafe eondilionN?
A. Yes, tell your Foreman if you notice any con¬
ditions which may cause accidents, or if trucks are
speeding or drivers arc careless around workmen, or if
trenches or scaffolds are not safely braced, or if things
are not properly piled.
t|. When should 1 wear protective goggles?
A. Whenever there is a danger of your being hit
in the eyes by flying particles, particularly from hard
particles such as stone, steel, iron, concrete, brick, etc.
34
TRANSFERS AND PROMOTIONS
35
TRANSFERS AND PROMOTIONS
Q. Can I get transferred to a job closer to
my home?
A. See your immediate WPA Supervisor or Per¬
sonnel Manager. Because it is necessary to complete
the job at hand, it is not always possible to make the
transfer immediately.
Q. How can I get my classification
changed?
A. See your Foreman, WPA Supervisor or Per¬
sonnel Manager for Forms 89 and 92, and instructions
how to fill them out. You will be notified to appear for
examination only when there is a need for personnel
in the trade or profession in which you wish to qualify.
Q. Will I be paid for time spent in taking
qualifying examinations?
A. No, but whenever possible your work schedule
for the four-week fiscal period will be changed, so that
you may .complete your full number of hours for that
period.
Q. Do I get paid while waiting to be trans¬
ferred to another job?
A. No, but you will be permitted to make up such
lost time.
37
COMPLAINTS
Discuss your complaints with your immediate
superior first.
38
COMPLAINTS
39
COMPLAINTS
Q. What matters may I complain about?
A. You may complain about anything you want to
—safety conditions, working conditions, hours, wages
and the like. But you must remember that Foremen,
Supervisors and other WPA officials have many trouble¬
some problems in trying to keep the projects going.
They have a right to expect your cooperation and good
sense in the matter of complaints.
Q. To whom should complaints be made?
A. Complaints should be made first to your Fore¬
man or WPA Supervisor, and if satisfaction is not re¬
ceived, you, or your representatives may take up the
matter with your Personnel Manager.
Q. Who are Personnel Managers and how
can I find one?
A. Personnel Managers were formerly known as
Field Employee Relations Officers. They are located in
each of the Field Offices for the purpose of receiving,
reviewing, and if possible, adjusting employee problems
and complaints. The name and location of your Per¬
sonnel Manager may be obtained from your immediate
WPA Supervisor or Timekeeper.
Q. If I am not satisfied with the settlement
of my complaint by the Personnel Man¬
ager, what can I do?
A. You can request the Personnel Manager to
refer you to the Employee Relations Section at 70
Columbus Avenue, where the matter will be given
40
COMPLAINTS
further consideration. If no agreement satisfactory to
you is reached, you may request further consideration
by a Review Officer who will review the case and sub¬
mit his recommendation to the Administrator for final
decision.
Q. Is there a time limit in making requests
for further consideration of my complaint
after my Foreman or WPA Supervisor gives
me his decision?
A. Yes, such requests must be made to the Per¬
sonnel Manager within three working days after the
decision is given you.
Q. Is there a time limit in making requests
for further consideration of my complaint
after decision of the Personnel Manager
and Employee Relations Section?
A. Yes, one week in each case.
Q. How much time should I allow for an
answer to my complaint?
A. Not longer than one week.
Q. Will I get paid for time spent in present¬
ing complaints?
A. No, but if permission is obtained prior to leav¬
ing, whenever possible, your work schedule for the
four-week fiscal period will be changed, so that you may
41
COMPLAINTS
complete your full number of hours for that period.
Q. May I bring a representative with me in
presenting a complaint to the Personnel
Manager?
A. Yes. You may be represented by anyone you
choose. Your representative need not be a WPA em¬
ployee but there is no necessity for you to hire legal
assistance at any time.
42
WORKERS' ORGANIZATIONS
43
WORKERS' ORGANIZATIONS
Employees may present grievances and complaints
either in person or through representatives.
44
WORKERS" ORGANIZATIONS
(J. Is any labor organization recognized as
the sole bargaining agency for WPA
workers?
A. No. The right of WPA workers to present
grievances or petitions is prescribed by the established
regulations of the Works Progress Administration and
any labor organization or individual may present such
grievances or petitions.
No labor organization is recognized by the Works
Progress Administration as a sole bargaining agency for
WPA workers. Any labor organization may present
grievances or petitions in behalf of its own members.
The Works Progress Administration does not enter
into written agreements with labor organizations.
Q. Is it all right for me to Join a anion?
A. Yes—you have the right to organize and select
representatives of your own choosing. Such representa¬
tives need not be employees of the WPA.
Q. Do I have to Join a union?
A. No. Impartial treatment will be given all em¬
ployees.
Q. May I participate in organizational ac¬
tivities daring working honrs?
A. No. Participation in organizational activities
during working hours or on work locations is prohibited.
45
WORKERS* ORGANIZATIONS
Activities such as distributing pamphlets or organizing
member-drives are examples of organizational activities
prohibited during working hours or on work locations.
Q. May organization notices be posted on
the project?
A. Yes. Such notices should be limited to informa¬
tion only; for example, the place of a meeting, the
time, the speaker and the subject.
46
WORKING CONDITIONS
47
WORKING CONDITIONS
ui p n
48
\VOI(kl\(> CONDITIONS
Q. Am I permitted to leave my Job during
an unofficial stoppage ol work?
A. 1. Security-wage employees who leave their
posts during any cessation of work not initiated by this
Administration, may have such lost time deducted from
their wages and may not be permitted to have such lost
time rescheduled.
2. Non-security wage employees, supervising the
work of others, who leave their posts during any cessa¬
tion of work not initiated by this Administration, are
subject to immediate dismissal. Other non-security
wage employees will have such lost time deducted from
their salaries and will not be permitted to have such
lost time rescheduled.
3. All non-security or security wage employees
whose absence might jeopardize the safety of life or
property, who leave their posts during any cessation
of work not initiated by this Administration will be
subject to immediate dismissal.
Q. Is congregating on work locations of
WPA projects permitted?
A. No. Employees who collect or congregate on
work locations to such an extent as to cause or con¬
stitute an interruption of the regular work of the
project, or who remain or enter upon and remain on
premises occupied by WPA projects, without official
consent, after closing hours, will be subject to imme¬
diate dismissal.
49
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
TERMINATION
OF EMPLOYMENT
51
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
4). Can I be discharged from my WPA job?
A. Yes.
Q. When will I be dismissed for absence?
A. If you are absent for more than 1/3 of your
assigned hours (except permitted absences) during any
four-week fiscal period, you will be dismissed for "Ir¬
regular Attendance."
Q. Suppose I am discharged for reasons I
think are unfair. What can I do?
A. If you think your discharge was unfair, you can
appeal to your Personnel Manager. (See Complaint
procedure.)
Q. What should I do if I am laid off due to
reduction in personnel?
A. Look for a job—apply to the New York State
Employment Service. If you are unable to secure a job
and are in need, you may apply to your nearest home
relief precinct office.
Q. In reducing WPA rolls, are veterans
given preference in retaining their WPA
jobs?
A. Yes, but only when the veteran's work has been
equal in efficiency to that of non-veterans of the same
occupational classification on the same project.
52
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Q. When are warning and suspension no¬
tices issued?
A. Warning and Suspension Notices are issued for
certain offenses and infractions of rules such as shirking,
leaving the job without permission, failure to perform
duties assigned, tardiness or reporting late for work
without excuse, etc. Continued receipt of Warning
and Suspension Notices will lead to dismissal.
Q. II through mistake I have been dis¬
missed and later reinstated, can I make up
any time lost as a result of such dismissal?
A. Yes. Bring the matter to the attention of your
Foreman or Supervisor.
53
GENERAL
55
GENERAL
Q. Can I have another member of my fam¬
ily substituted for me on WPA?
A. Under certain conditions. If you have a Relief
status, substitution may sometimes be made.
Q. Whom do I see to have another member
of my family substituted for me on WPA?
A. See your Personnel Manager.
Q. Does WPA give extra relief for large
families?
A. No. Extra relief may be given by the Home
Relief Division, Department of Welfare, City of New
York; employees who need it may apply to that Bureau.
Q. If I move, should I notify my Time¬
keeper or WPA Supervisor of my change of
address?
A. Yes. Whenever possible, you should report
change of address at least five days prior to change.
Failure to report change of address will delay your pay
check.
(|. May my Supervisor request the loan of
money or my services for his personal bene¬
fit?
A. No.
56
GENERAL
Q. How many persons in one family are
allowed to work on WPA?
A. Only one. However, if a family has a boy in a
CCC camp or one of the family is getting work with
the National Youth Administration, that does not
necessarily keep the head of the family from working
on WPA.
Q. Am I required to make a contribution
to any political party?
A. No employee is required to make any contribu¬
tions to any political party, nor will an employee's job
be in danger because of the failure of an employee to
make such contribution.
57
TffllHTKEM-PEIlIOD PAYROLL
rvi i \i»\it fok i»;i»
The calendar on the opposite page
is a payroll calendar. The year is
divided into 13 fiscal periods, as
indicated, for payroll purposes.
Each fiscal period starts on a Sun¬
day and is composed of 28 days.
58
THIRTEEN-PERIOD PAYROLL
CALENDAR FOR 1939
S
M
T
W
S
DEC
25
26
27
28
2930
31
JAN
i
2
3
4
5 6
7
8
9
10
1 1
12 13
4
5
16
>7
18
19 20
21
2nd PERIOD
S
M
T
W
T F
s
JANj22 2324 252627 28
FEB
293031
1
2 3 4
5
6
7
8
9 10 1 1
1213 1415 16 17 18
3TO PERIOD
S
M
T
W
T F
S
FEB
19 20 2122232425
MAR
262728
2 3
4
5
6
7
8
9 iO
1 1
12
i3 14
15
I6'i7
18
4
- PERIOD
S
M
T
W
T F
5
MAR
!9 20 2I22'23'24I25
APR
26
27
282930 31
1
2
3
4
5
617
8
9
10
1
12 1314 15
7™ PERIOD
5,M PERIOD
5 Mi T!W| Ti F 1 S
16 17 18 19
2(}2I22
123242526
272629
30 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9 10
l Ijl2|l3
6th PERIOD
S M T W T F S
!4'I5 16 17 !8'I9|20
21 222324252627
■J 2829 30 31 I 2 3
V5 6 7 8 910
H
M
T
W
T
0
si
NOV
26
27
28
29
30
rn
2
DEC
3
4
5
6
7
M
9
[BIDEIEEISID
I2EEEE0]EiE:E£
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
II
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
5
M
T
W
T
F
S
9
10
I 1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
AUG
6
7
8
9
10
II
12
13
14
15
16
'7
18
19
SEP
S|M T|W| T
FiS
3 4 51 6 i 7
8 9
|0JH!2||3.l4,l5j|6
17 18 19 20*21 2223
24.25 2 6.272812930
OCT
S'M'T'WlT
F
S
1
2 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1 1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
26
I2'M PERIOD
OCT
NOV
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
29
30
31
i
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
-1 1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
59
NOTES
NOTES
NOTES
IIMTING CORWHATION. M-15-3«-: SOW
NEW *0»K
Prepared by
Industrial Relations Department
Division of Employment
Illustrations by Artists employed on WPA projects
USA-
WORK
WPA