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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 9 (January 1, 1930)

Importance of Rest Periods

Importance of Rest Periods.

This experiment threw considerable light on work and fatigue relationship; moreover, it established a new principle, that of pauses in work. Hitherto, pauses were not recognised as a necessity in work. Employers called it slacking, and the operative, anxious to keep his job, did not dare to slack. Mosso proved that more work could be done by taking longer rests between movements than by working continuously until fatigue set in. From what has been written earlier the reason will be obvious. Longer rest periods permit the blood to
Figure I. Mosso's Ergograph.

Figure I.
Mosso's Ergograph.

carry off fatigue-toxins before they become piled up.

This insistence on rest periods is not yet general. Recently, in making an examination of some of the larger stores of one town, the writer noted the number of chairs which were not used. Girls behind counters have seats provided, but apparently rarely use them. Nor are these girls given rest periods off so that a real rest can be secured. It has been asserted that the sight of girls sitting down gives a bad impression to customers; that girls are not working hard enough to require rest; that the firm has never considered rest periods—there are many similar excuses.