• Who is this gal?
  • Write Me!

Robin Coyle

~ Ink of Me

Robin Coyle

Daily Archives: February 6, 2013

Managing Female Employees The Right Way

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by robincoyle in In Search . . .

≈ 89 Comments

Tags

writers, writing

We’ve come a long way, baby. When I say we, I mean you, men.

Transportation Magazine published an article in 1943 titled “Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees.”

The throes of WWII caused a shortage of males and companies needed to backfill their work force with the dreaded female of the species. Some Neanderthal wrote the article in the Dark Ages. I know, I know . . . Neanderthals didn’t live in the Dark Ages.

I canceled my subscription to the magazine after I read the article.

In short, the ever-so-helpful advice on how to manage female employees is thusly:

Pick young married women. They are less flirtatious and still have the pep and energy to work hard.

When you have to use older women, hire ones who have worked outside the home. Older women who haven’t been in contact with the public are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy.

“Husky” girls – those who are on the heavy side – are more even-tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.

Retain a doctor to give women “special” examinations to reveal whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses that would make her physically or mentally unfit for the job.

In breaking in women who haven’t done outside work, stress the importance of time. Until this point is made, service will be slowed up.

Give female employees a definite schedule of duties for the day so they will keep busy without bothering management every few minutes. Women make excellent workers when the job is spelled out for them, but lack initiative in finding work themselves.

When possible, let the female employee change from one job to another during the day. Women are inclined to be nervous and are happy with change.

Give every girl adequate rest periods during the day. She will have more confidence and consequently be more efficient if she has time to tidy her hair, freshen her lipstick, and wash her hands several times a day.

Be tactful in issuing instructions or criticisms. Women can’t shrug off harsh words like men do. Never ridicule. It breaks their spirit and makes them less efficient.

Be considerate about using strong language around women. Their husbands and fathers may swear vociferously, but she will dislike the company if she hears too much of this.

Get enough size variety when ordering uniforms. This can’t be stressed enough in keeping women happy.

Are you freaking kidding me?  I didn’t make this up. Head over to Snopes to check it out.

Since I haven’t had time to tidy my hair, freshen my lipstick, and wash my hands several times today, I feel cantankerous and fussy. I’d like to sic Rosie the Riveter on the numbskull who wrote the article.

Eleven Tips

Fast forward to 1951, IBM, that bastion of women’s lib, the right to vote, and bra burning, issued this memo:

IBM

The forward-thinking execs at IBM had the sense to make it a “temporary modification” to their employment policies. Yeah . . . married women on the staff might not work out and IBM was smart to give themselves the opportunity to renege.

My Blog

  • In Search . . . (269)
  • Strong vs Weak Words (48)
  • Uncategorized (14)

Recent Posts

  • A New Book and a New Blog Everyone!
  • Something positive has to come out of this, right?
  • Update on one sick puppy . . .
  • One sick puppy . . . and she needs your help
  • Taking a Stance on Stance Underwear

Who is this gal?

  • Who is this gal?
  • Write Me!

Enter your email to receive notifications of new posts, and no, we won't share your email address!

RobinCoyle.com

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

Archives

  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • March 2017
  • November 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • August 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
February 2013
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728  
« Jan   Mar »

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy