> An interesting historical piece circa 1943 "Guide to Hiring Women".
>
> The following is from the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine. This
> was serious and written for male supervisors of women in the work force
> during World War II.
>
> Obviously, the intent was not to be "funny," but by today's standards,
> this
> is hilarious ...
>
> 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 and are 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 for instructions 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.
>
> The following is from the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine. This
> was serious and written for male supervisors of women in the work force
> during World War II.
>
> Obviously, the intent was not to be "funny," but by today's standards,
> this
> is hilarious ...
>
> 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 and are 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 for instructions 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.
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