A plant that manufactures denim jeans in the United Kingdom recently introduced a computerized automated handling system.

The new system delivers garments to the assembly-line operators by means of an overhead conveyor. Although the automated system minimizes operator handling time, it inhibits operators from working ahead and taking breaks to be away from their machine. A study in New Technology, Work, and Employment (July 2001) investigated the impact of the new handling system on worker absentee rates at the jeans plant. One theory is that the mean absentee rate will vary by day of the week, as operators decide to indulge in one-day absences to relieve work pressure. Nine weeks were randomly selected, and the absentee rate (percentage of workers absent) was determined for each day (Monday through Friday) of the workweek. For example, the absentee rates for the five days of the first week selected are: 5.3, .6, 1.9, 1.3, and 1.6, respectively. The data for all nine weeks are saved in the JEANS file. Conduct a complete analysis of the data to determine whether the mean absentee rate differs across the five days of the workweek.