The Fatigue-Point in Work
In an article which appears on another page a caveat is entered against the danger of imposing so great a burden of longer hours and diminished rest on the willing worker Ls to produce over-strain, inaccuracy in work, loss of time through sickness, and possibly a smaller aggregate output rather than a greater. It is by no means only in the sphere of manual work that this warning should be heeded. The danger of excessive zeal is even greater in the case of the brain-worker. It is obvious that he, too, will be anxious to have his capacity stretched to the utmost in time of crisis ; but it is unprofitable to over-strain it. Routine work can obviously be continued for longer than creative work. The Civil Service has quite rightly been lengthening the hours of work in most of the departments, but it ought to beware of carrying this too far. In deciding that, though munition factories should run seven days a week each employee should only work for six, Mr. Bevin has shown great wisdom. Employment of brain-workers should be tempered likewise.
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