Death and disability benefits are paid to dependents of Western Electric Company employees from the permanent fund of the Company. The beneficiaries of any employee who had worked for the Western Electric Company for more than five and less than ten years are allowed six months' average wages. The beneficiaries of any employee who had worked for the Company ten years or more are entitled to one year's average wages. Payments are not made to legal heirs unless they are dependent upon the deceased employee.
The payments range in amount from $300 to $2,000, and are required under the Company's plan to be paid within thirty days after death. The Company pays $75,227.93 in death benefits and $3,290.44 in disability benefits (on account of sickness or injury). The death benefits are paid in the instances of 122 employees, and the disability benefits are paid in the instances of 81 employees.
Source: Final Report, Eastland Disaster Relief Committee, Chicago Chapter, American Red Cross, 1918.
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