[lfjokes] Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees

[Adam Shand]

This was gonna go to wordup but there's been quite a bit of the light and
fluffy there recently so it's going here instead cause it's too funny to
not send.

From: Simon Horsburgh <simon.horsburgh at stonebow.otago.ac.nz>

1943 Guide to Hiring Women

The following is an excerpt from the July 1943 issue of Transportation
Magazine. This was serious and written for male supervisorsof women in the
work force during World War II - a mere 57 years ago!

Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees:

There's no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women
for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled
that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient
women available and how to use them to the best advantage.

Here are eleven helpful tips on the subject from Western Properties:

1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of! a sense of
   responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they're less likely to be
   flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn't be doing it, they
   still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the
   public efficiently.

2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked
   outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have
   never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves andare
   inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It's always well to impress upon
   older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.

3. General experience indicates that "husky" girls - those who are just a
   little on the heavy side - are more even tempered and efficient than
   their underweight sisters.

4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical
   examination - one covering female conditions. This step not only
   protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals
   whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make
   her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

5. Stress at the outset the importance of time; the fact that a minute or
   two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this
   point is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.

6. Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that
   they'll keep busy without bothering the management forinstructions
   every few minutes. Numerous properties say that women make excellent
   workers when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack
   initiative in finding work themselves.

7. Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to
   another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less
   nervous and happier with change.

8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during > the day.
   You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology.  A girl has
   more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied,
   apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.

9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are
   often sensitive; they can't shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never
   ridicule a woman - it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.

10. Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women.
    Even though a girl's husband or father may swear vociferously, she'll
    grow to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.

11. Get enough size variety in operator's uniforms so that each girl can
    have a proper fit. This point can't be stressed too much in keeping
    women happy.