[PRCo] FWD: "modern" woman!!

[John Swindler]

This was received from a US Army source, but thought the 'transit types' 
might also enjoy a historical perspective from WWII era.



>From: <eaglesj at MAIL.LVNWORTH.COM>
>Subject: FWD: I guess I'm glad I'm a "modern" woman!!
>Date: Tue,  4 Sep 2001 06:44:40 -0500
>
>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
>
>
>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 supervisors of women in the 
>workforce during World War II - a mere 57 years ago! Obviously, the intent 
>was not to be "funny," but by today's standards, this is hilarious!   For 
>those of you with efficiency issues, pay attention to #8.
> >
> >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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