The human factors in Work Study

The Human Factors in work study is very important for manufacturing Company. The Work-Study specialist’s most difficult drawback could usually be the attitude of Supervisors.

They must be won over if he or she is to obtain good results from Work-Study; indeed their hostility may prevent him or her from doing any effective work at all.

Supervisors represent management to the worker on the shop floor, and just as departmental managers will take their attitudes from the top manager, So workers will take theirs from their supervisors. If it is evident that the supervisor thinks that “this work-study stuff is nonsense”. The workers will not respect the specialist and will make no efforts to carry out his or her suggestions. which, in any case, have to return to them through their supervisor.

Before the work-study practitioner starts work, the whole purpose of work-study and the procedures involved must be very carefully explained to the supervisors, so that he or she understands exactly what is being done and why. Unless this can be done, the supervisor is probably going to be difficult, if not really obstructive, for several reasons.

Following The human factors in Work Study:

• Supervisors are the people most deeply affected by the work-study. The work that they’ll have been liable for years is being challenged. if, through the application of work study strategies. The efficiency of the operations for which they are responsible for developed. They may feel that their prestige in the eye of their superiors and workers will be lessened.

• In most firms where specialists have not been used. The whole running of a certain operation – planning programs of work, developing job methods, making up timesheets, setting piece rates, hiring and firing staff – might are done by the supervisor. The mere fact some of these responsibilities have been taken away is likely to make him or her experience a loss of status. No one likes to consider that She or He has “lost face’ or “lost ground”.

• If differences arise or the workers are disappointed, supervisors are the key Person. Who will be called upon to clear matters up, and it is difficult for them to do so honestly if they do not realize the problem.

The following rules must be observed:

The Human Factors in work study practitioner will only retain the supervisor’s friendship. Also, respect by showing from the beginning that he or she is not trying to usurp their place.

1. The work-study person not ever gives direct instruction to a worker. All instructions must be given through the supervisor. The only exception to this is in matters connected with methods improvements. Where the worker has been asked by the supervisor to carry out the instructions of the work-study person.

2. Workers asking questions calling for decisions outside the technical field of work-study should always be referred to their supervisor.

3. The role of human factors in work study and a good work study person should take care never to express opinions to a worker. Which may be interpreted as critical of the supervisor (however much he or she may feel like it!). If the worker later says to the supervisors: “…but Mr./Ms … said…”, there will be trouble!

4. The work-study does not tolerate the workers to “play him or her off”. Against the supervisor or to use him or her to get decisions altered which they consider harsh.

5. The work-study person should seek the supervisor’s advice in the selection of jobs. To be studied and in all technical matter connected with the process (even if he or she knows a great deal about it). The work-study person should never try to start alone.

Suggestion:

This list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” may look frightening but is mainly common sense and good manners. The workers in any working area can only have one boss. Their supervisor and all must be done to uphold his or her authority.

Of course, once the work-study person and the supervisor have worked together and understood one another. There can be some relaxation, but that is a matter of judgment, and any suggestion for relaxation should come from the supervisor.