1943 Guide to Hiring Women

This made me smile - an article for Transportation Magazine from July 1943, written for male supervisors of women in the work force during World War II. It begins: '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.' And then it continues with 11 tips on getting more efficiency out of women employees which includes such gems as:

• Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters.
• When you have to use older women, try to get some 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 and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy.
• 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.
• Give the female employee a  definite day-long schedule of duties so that they'll keep busy without bothering the management 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.
• 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.
• Be tactful when issuing instructions or 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.
• 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.

It's a genuine article according to snopes, where you can download scans of the original pages. It's fascinating the assumptions it makes about why women work, what kind of work we are suited to and how we best work.

Comments

[Ruth Wells]

This made my day! As I sit at my computer at work trying to write reports, answer emails and juggle a million things I realise I feel so rotton because I haven't had enough lipstick breaks! Maybe I should get it written into my contract!

[Ruth Wells]

Obviously can't spell either (rotten) .....definately time to re-do my hair!

[Jenny Baker]

and make sure you wash your hands!

[Sam Pink]

Just brilliant :) made me smile