Toward that end, not only did he build only fireproof
structures, but he installed ventilation systems.
In the design and construction of Frank Lloyd Wright's Larkin Administration Building, the ventilation system was an embryonic air conditioning system accessing each floor through the brick columns at each corner of the building.
Factory and office workers' hours were reduced over a two decade period of time, while wages and salaries were maintained and increased. Paid vacations were offered to meritorious employees. The first "401K" was created in 1901 as an employee thrift plan. The first credit union was established in 1933.
Benefit programs were established. The Larkin Benefit Assn., established in 1906, was run by elected employees who managed contributions from wages to provide for employees in need because of sickness, injuries or death.
Other financial benefits were offered requiring employee contribution from pay including life and hospital insurances.
If an employee had at least $500 in savings, he would qualify for a home loan at 5% interest, which was below bank rates at that time.
Though it did not last long, a "Co-Operative Ownership Plan" emerged in 1919. According to the Larkin employee's newsletter, "Ourselves", this very progressive program was intended to "more firmly and closely unite in one harmonious spirit of co-operation our entire organization and open the way thereby to great achievements than even those of the past."
Community programs were brought to the employees. A Y.W.C.A. branch opened at LSC to provide social and educational activities for women.
Similarly, a branch of the Buffalo Public Library System was opened. (Inter-office memos frequently admonished employees about not returning borrowed books on time!). Beginning in 1907, employees attending public classes of instruction in any subject and earning a grade of at least 75% would be reimbursed in full for their costs and expenses. Several years later LSC refined this program to concentrate on job training and new employee orientation. One very innovative program targeted immigrant employees. "Ourselves" described the purpose of the instruction provided as leading "to better employees, better citizens, fewer accidents, better jobs, more prosperity and bigger American Larkinites.
The Larkin Administration Building itself included in its design elements providing employees with comfortable lounges, rest rooms, showers and lockers.
Restaurants provided attractive Wright-designed furniture and dietary experts.
In 1905 a company nurse was hired. By 1913 a nurse and a physician were added to conduct medical exams. The clinic was "to safeguard employees, thus creating a more productive and efficient body of workers." A dental office followed in 1915.
For women employees who were run down,
arrangements could be made at Eagle Bay Farms, located south of Buffalo to stay in an environment of fresh air, wholesome food, medical care and rest.
All kinds of social and sporting activities were available. All day "Larkin Field Days" enabled employees to bond with each other and their managers. It was felt that such activities helped build an espirit de corps and promoted team work and cooperation as well as pride in their work place. Picnics and holiday parties were favorite activities.
The Administration Building housed an organ, played as office workers did their jobs. Larkin employees and outside performers held concerts. The company established a Larkin Bank and a Larkin Fife and Drum Corps.
Various clubs formed among the employees. Not only did the women have the YWCA, but over the years there was chapter of the Campfire Girls. An athletic sorority, Lambola Alpha Sigma with 46 members promoted sports and good sportsmanship. Men participated in a chapter of the WMCA and on Larkin Men's Alliance programs of social, athletic and civic activities.
Its baseball team competed in leagues of other teams from industries and municipalities.
But one of the most beloved and enduring "perks" of employment at the LSC was its origination of America's first coffee break. At first it took the form of LSC offering it as an accompaniment with lunch (by 1/13/1900 an LSC memo changed the layout of the coffee cups being left all over the work place instead of being returned to the coffee room. The issue of how the coffee break was to be conducted was an ongoing saga in the LSC journal of interoffice memos between 1900 through 1902.
And a final note on the concern of Larkin for the health of its employee, by memo from LSC dated 12/16/1899, he points out the dusty environment in which the employees must work and that the dust is swooped into the atmosphere where it gets inhaled, which is injurious to health. To help abate that problem, the memo requested that "all skirts worn shall be not less than four inches from the floor. The memo was reissued with another admonishment in 3/22/1900. It does not appear, however, that OSHA got involved in this matter.
