Corning Glass Works, Corning, New York

CORNING INSURES EMPLOYES

Two thousand seven hundred employees of the Corning Glass Works, at Corning, N. Y. have been insured under a health and accident policy arranged between the company and the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.

Under this form of policy, the expense is borne in part by the company and the balance by the employes themselves. The cost to the latter varies according to the amounts which weekly sickness benefits, which are graduated according to weekly wages in case of sickness or accident. Monthly payments by the employes range from five cents per month for girl employes whose benefits will be $5 a week, up to $1.90 a month for employes who receive $25 a week when temporarily disabled by ill health or accident.

The arrangement between the Corning company and the Metropolitan does not in any way affect provisions made under the Workmen's Compensation Law. However, it was felt by the Corning officials that a system such as has been introduced would be preferable to any plan whereby the employes might be paid direct by the company, as it eliminated any suggestion of charity and avoided any "passing the hat" for those who had suffered misfortunes.

Previous to this action, the Corning company, some time ago purchased life insurance for its employes under the "group insurance" plan, the policies ranging from $500 to $1,000 according to the length of time which the employe had been with the company. The insurance thus purchased was a gift of the company to its workers in recognition of faithful co-operation and friendly relations. Under the terms of this form of insurance, benefits were provided, not only in the case of death, but in the event, that a workman was totally and permanently disabled before reaching the age of 60. As in the case of ordinary insurance which workers might have purchased as individuals, the employe had the opportunity to designate his beneficiary, and of changing the beneficiary if circumstances made such a change necessary. The "group insurance" made possible the insurance of some persons who would have been unable to obtain policies as individuals, by reason of age or other factors, as no medical examination was required.

In connection with the insurance program, the employes of the Corning Glass Co. have available for them the services of a trained nurse supplied by the Metropolitan, as well as an extensive publication service to help develop health and safety measure to their highest point of efficiency.