topic Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943 in Community Chat

Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

Catitude — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 18:58:59 GMT

1943 Guide to Hiring Women:

The following is an excerpt from the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine. This was written for male supervisors of women in the work force during World War II.

1. If you can get them, pick young married women. They have these advantages, according to the reports of western companies: they usually have more of a sense of responsibility than do their unmarried sisters; they're less likely to be flirtatious; as a rule, they need the work or they wouldn't be doing it — maybe a sick husband or one who's in the army; 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. Most transportation companies have found that older women who have never contacted the public, have a hard time adapting themselves, are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It's always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.

3. While there are exceptions, of course, to this rule, general experience indicates that "husky" girls — those who are just a little on the heavy side — are likely to be 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 also reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job. Transit companies that follow this practice report a surprising number of women turned down for nervous disorders.

5. In breaking in women who haven't previously done outside work, 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 employe in garage or office a definite day-long schedule of duties so that she'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 employe change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be nervous and they're happier with change.

8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. Companies that are already using large numbers of women stress the fact that you have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and consequently is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.

9. Be tactful in issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are often sensitive; they can't shrug off harsh words the way that men do. Never ridicule a woman — it breaks her spirit and cuts 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 uniforms that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can't be stressed too strongly as a means of keeping women happy, according to western properties.

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

hennypenny — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:05:56 GMT

This is why we need a female president!

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

AngusandBuddhasMom — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:33:37 GMT

Priceless I sent it to my DD and friends...

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

MomOf4 — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:41:33 GMT

Incredible!!

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

jackthebear — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:41:38 GMT

Different times

and during a war

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

kittymomNC — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:56:30 GMT

Amazing! As the old saying goes, "We've come a long way, baby!".....but unfortunately, not yet far enough.

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

Catitude — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 21:18:42 GMT

On 8/8/2014 kittymomNC said:
Amazing! As the old saying goes, "We've come a long way, baby!".....but unfortunately, not yet far enough.

There are still some men who still think this way. They were alive during that period but in the next 15 or so years maybe they'll all be gone.

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

voyager1980 — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 21:41:22 GMT

On 8/8/2014 Opurrra said:
On 8/8/2014 kittymomNC said:
Amazing! As the old saying goes, "We've come a long way, baby!".....but unfortunately, not yet far enough. 

There are still some men who still think this way. They were alive during that period but in the next 15 or so years maybe they'll all be gone.

Sure hope so.Great thread Opurrra!

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

circles — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 22:46:43 GMT

Gee....I would have gotten a job back then...I am on the ""husky"" side.....hahaha....

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 22:51:01 GMT

Startling! I find this hard to believe! So sad; my mom was a teenager in this time period (I think). So glad things have changed! Yes, we most definitely need a female president!!!

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

Kachina624 — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 23:07:15 GMT

Thank goodness times have drastically changed. My mom was a teacher when she got pregnant with me, and she had to resign.

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

kittymomNC — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 23:07:51 GMT

On 8/8/2014 Opurrra said:
On 8/8/2014 kittymomNC said:
Amazing! As the old saying goes, "We've come a long way, baby!".....but unfortunately, not yet far enough. 

There are still some men who still think this way. They were alive during that period but in the next 15 or so years maybe they'll all be gone.

If truth be told, I think there are some who weren't alive during that time that believe this way. Some men still have the attitude that women should stay barefoot and pregnant, and in the kitchen because we don't have the ability to think for ourselves! I'm sure they would never admit it in public....

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

PAX — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 23:11:33 GMT

I wonder how many of the women in binders would pass muster?

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

naturalfan — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 23:13:56 GMT

On 8/8/2014 Opurrra said:
On 8/8/2014 kittymomNC said:
Amazing! As the old saying goes, "We've come a long way, baby!".....but unfortunately, not yet far enough. 

There are still some men who still think this way. They were alive during that period but in the next 15 or so years maybe they'll all be gone.

I hope you are right. Unfortunately, I think there will always be some men thinking this way but I do believe that contingent is shrinking.

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

CLEM — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 00:44:21 GMT

And there I thought these rules are still in effect. No??????????

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

this is my nic — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 03:11:45 GMT

When I was a sweet young thing and looking for a job, I went to our local state employment office. After being tested, filling out all sorts of questionaires (sp?), I had to be interviewed by one of the men who worked there. He asked me what my father did for a living, after I told him, he said "why are you looking for a job?". I was stunned and don't remember what I said. Evidently, since my Dad had a decent paying job, I didn't need one!

Yes, times have changed!

BTW, what happened to spell check here?

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

violann — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 20:55:52 GMT

I am WILDLY GRATEFUL- at last, someone who thinks "husky" "girls" are "even tempered"!

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

straykatz — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 22:30:33 GMT

#4.....OMG......reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

Clover29 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 23:23:31 GMT

On 8/8/2014 Goldengate8361 said:
Startling! I find this hard to believe! So sad; my mom was a teenager in this time period (I think). So glad things have changed! Yes, we most definitely need a female president!!!

Offhand, I can't think of any female leaders who have instigated aggression against another sovereign nation. Cleopatra didn't send an army against the Romans; Boadicea was all about defense, not attack; Queen Elizabeth I defended against the Spanish Armada. Angela Merkel has never invaded Poland, and Indira Gandhi didn't try to annex anywhere.

There's definitely a territory-enlarging issue attached to testosterone.

Even my cat only defends what's hers, she doesn't want more than her own space.

Re: Guide to Hiring Women Written in 1943

TaxyLady — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 23:38:05 GMT

I like the part about giving women lots of breaks. lol