
Issue No 65		04 August 2000

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History

Husky Girls and the Female Psyche

When women entered the workforce during World War Two their male supervisors were given these simple tips to get the most out of them.

Eleven tips on getting more efficiency out of women employees

1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sister, 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 make 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 article is from the July 1943 issue of the Transportation Magazine, written for male supervisors of women in the workforce during World War Two.

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  Issue 65 contents

Interview: Hobart Perspective
Having held senior positions in both wings of the labour movement, Martin Ferguson went to Hobart with more perspective than most. He shares a bit of it with Workers Online.

Politics: Love-in In a Cold Climate
In our exclusive campaign diary we bring you the sights, sounds and smells of the ALP's Hobart conference.

Unions: Passion Plays
Canadian union campaigner Sharon Costello outlines how British Columbia nurses are using the arts to activate their membership base.

International: Spanish Telecom Builds Employee Portal
The prospect of on-line access for unions to company employees was outlined to Union Network International by the head of Spanish Telecommunications giant. Telefonica.

History: Husky Girls and the Female Psyche
When women entered the workforce during World War Two their male supervisors were given these simple tips to get the most out of them.

Satire: Communism Vindicated by Successful Collective Meeting
Tonight's meeting of the Marxism-Leninism Now Collective demonstrated the continuing relevance and ultimate success of communist principles, according to the Collective's Secretary, George Addison, 44.

Review: Following the Money
A new book looks at the role the bosses have played in the changing industrial relations framework.

» Chaudhry, Burrow Discuss Strengthening Unions' Stand

» Shopping Centres' 'Pay to Work' Plan

» Labor's IR Platform: Winding Back Reith

» Redback clerks buck casual trend

» No Joy in Ministerial Mind Slip

» Parlt House Cleaners' Fight Gets Dirty

» Rural Safety Lapses' Massive Cost

» 5000 Students Back the Hands that Feed Them

» Mobile Phones Health Warning

» Bank Staff Fight Fruitpicking Future

» No Science in CSIRO Sell-Down

» Hotel Workers Target Big Chains

» Wheels of Justice Slow as Reporters Walk

» Free Political Economy Classes for Activists

» APHEDA plans Asian and Middle Eastern tours

» The Soapbox

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» In defence of coffee

» Rail commuter warns pollies

» We want a bigger slice of pie

» Latham should watch the Footy Show

» Editor bagged

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