Rules for Clerical Staff

The working world of today is very different from the working world of 150 years ago. Take as an example, this list of rules for Clerical Staff of the Merchants and Ship Chandler’s of Sydney Town, issued in 1852.

Merchants and Ships Chandlers

Sydney Town 1852

RULES FOR CLERICAL STAFF

  1. Godliness, Cleanliness and Punctuality are the necessities of a good business.
  2. On the recommendation of the Governor of this Colony, this firm has reduced the hours of work, and the Clerical Staff will now only have to be present between the hours of 7am and 6pm on week days. The Sabbath is for Worship, but should any Man-of-War or other vessel require victualling, the Clerical Staff will work on the Sabbath.
  3. Daily prayers will be held each morning in the Main Office. The Clerical Staff will be present.
  4. Clothing must he of a sober nature. The Clerical Staff will not disport themselves in raiments of bright colours, nor will they wear hose unless in good condition.
  5. Overshoes and Top-coats may not be worn in the Office, hut Neck Scarves and Headwear may he worn in inclement weather.
  6. A stove is provided for the benefit of the Clerical Staff. Coal and Wood must be kept in the locker. It is recommended that each member of the Clerical Staff bring four pounds of coal each day during cold weather.
  7. No member of Clerical Staff may leave the room without permission from Mr Ryder. The calls of nature are permitted and the Clerical Staff may use the garden below the second gate. This area must be kept in good order.
  8. No talking is allowed during business hours
  9. The craving for tobacco, wines or spirits is a human weakness and, as such, is forbidden to all members of the Clerical Staff.
  10. Now that the hours of business have been drastically reduced, the partaking of food is allowed between 11.30am and noon, but work will not, on any account, cease.
  11. Members of the Clerical Staff will provide their own pens. A new sharpener is available, on application to Mr Ryder.
  12. Mr Ryder will nominate a Senior Clerk to be responsible for the cleanliness of the Main Office and the Private Office, and all boys and juniors will report to him 10 minutes before Prayers, and will remain after closing hours for similar work. Brushes, Brooms, Scrubbers and Soap are provided by the Owners.

THE OWNERS HEREBY RECOGNISE THE GENEROSITY OF THE NEW LABOUR LAWS, BUT WILL EXPECT A GREAT RISE IN OUTPUT OF WORK TO COMPENSATE FOR THESE NEAR-UTOPIAN CONDITIONS.

Apart from the vastly improved working conditions of today, it’s also instructive how overtly religious the workplace laws are. Prayers, Sabbath observance and godliness are all seen as an ordinary part of working life!

Source: Trash and Treasure with comment at end by Scott Higgins.
Applications: secularism, culture, change, work