The following is an excerpt
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 - a mere
58 years ago! Obviously, the intent was not to be "funny," but by
today's standards, this is hilarious. Pay particular attention to #8.
Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees:
There is 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:
1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility
than their unmarried sisters. They are less likely to be flirtatious. They need
the work, or they would not 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 is 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 daylong schedule of duties so that they
will keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every
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 cannot 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 will 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 cannot be stressed too much.