Policy good for company and workers

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You have to hand it to the people at Wahl Clipper Corp. Those running the Sterling company, which makes electric hair clippers, shavers and other personal grooming products, have had a sense of humor about why they exist. If human hair didn't grow, after all, they'd be out of business. "As long as hair keeps growing, so should we," stated the late Jack Wahl, one-time president and CEO, in the company's 1994 annual report. The headline on a story in the paper the other day seemed to reflect that corporate wit: "Clipper company avoids cuts." Yes, someone might say, of course a company that makes clippers wants to build safe products that don't cut anything they're not supposed to. However, this headline wasn't referring to customers' skin, but to the company's work force. It didn't reinforce the company's sense of humor, but a sense of commitment to its employees. The story described Wahl Clipper's unofficial "no-layoffs" policy that dates back to 1964. It continues in place even during these troubled economic times. Actually, sales are bucking the slowdown, and employees are putting in overtime to fill orders. Earlier, though, when sales slowed in 1996 and again in 2005, some employees were taken off the line, cross-trained and utilized in different areas of the plant, perhaps cleaning or painting or doing preventive maintenance. Then, when demand increased, these better-trained workers were instantly available to contribute to higher production. The economic and psychological impact on Wahl employees of such benevolent treatment must be tremendous. Traditions such as a no-layoffs policy are far-sighted on management's part, particularly in a business climate that zeroes in on quarterly profits, not long-term growth. It's clear that the Wahl family's values are being carried on by company President Greg Wahl, Jack's son. As long as hair keeps growing, and a local clipper company can avoid cuts, all will be well at Wahl's Sterling plant. We don't think anyone will split hairs over that.