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FYI
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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.

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. 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.


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Peter Amakobe
Standards Development Engineer
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Rom 651
Madison,  WI  53707-7916
PH: (608) 266-2842
FX: (608) 267-1862
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