The Ford employee who was sacked along with the ‘time and motion’ analyst who fired him

During one of the downturns in production at the Cork plant, in 1952, the company undertook a major ‘time and motion’ analysis in the factory.

The Engine Exchange was the last place to be analysed, and employee John Brennan, who had joined the company at 16, four years earlier, recalls the experience.

“The ‘time and motion’ analyst stood beside me for two days without saying a word. He timed my movements and made copious notes with his very sharp pencil. When he had finished, we waited like participants in a jury trial for the verdict.