Continuing with the topic of employee benefits let’s take a look at some more benefits the employees of the John B. Stetson company enjoyed.

Again taken from the book “Stetson Hats and the John B. Stetson Company 1865-1970”:

“At the 1920 (Christmas) party, workers received ten percent of their annual salaries as bonuses. Turkeys were given to married men, hats to bachelors, and gloves and candies for the women employed by the firm. Also included among the gifts were 425 shares in the Stetson Building and Loan Association, 75 shares of common stock, and 5 life insurance polices worth $5,000 each. The total value in gifts given that year was $525,000.”

and

“All of these efforts strengthened the bonds between Stetson and his employees, creating a loyal, efficient work force, and ensuring stability among a traditionally wandering community. Stetson’s programs were continued by his successor, J. Howell Cummings (company president from 1906-1928).”

I don’t know about you but I can’t help but admire a man who took such a personal interest in his employees and gave them things that no other employer was doing at the time.

Cheers to John B. Stetson.

Aaron

This entry was posted on Monday, June 18th, 2007 at 5:44 pm and is filed under Fedoras, Hat History, Hats, Men's Hats. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.