A Happy Worker is a Better Worker

In W. Livingston Larned’s “Advertising That is Helping to Adjust the Labor Situation: A Tendency to Make Campaigns Serve a double Purpose.”, he focuses on the theory that if workers are recognized and appreciated for their good work, “it would give him greater pride in his job” (Livingston, 2). In a statement made by the foreman of a plant making steel products he stated that by showing appreciation, “it would stimulate to make better goods and to be happier at it.”

This theory may be true to an extent. Yes, everyone likes to be praised for doing a good job. However, that does not guarantee that a worker would work harder if he were shown appreciation. Many of the workers during this time did not work such hard, long hours because they enjoyed working. These jobs were a mean of survival. Many of them had no other choice. A pat on the back may not have been good enough to stimulate the workers to make better goods and “to be happier at it.” If anything a raise in pay would have gotten that response rather than appreciation.