Urban Legends Reference Pages: 1943 Guide to Hiring Women

Urban Legends Reference Pages: 1943 Guide to Hiring Women

My friend sent me an email with a pdf version of the article above called “1943 Guide to Hiring Women” that was taken from Transportation Magazine. This "article" was designed to serve as a guidepost for male supervisors of women in the WWII workforce.

Below I comment how much things have....and haven’t....changed in 65 years.

1943 — 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.

2008 – When I was single...I found myself wanting to climb and climb the corporate ladder. I worked very long hours and the only person who noticed how late I came home most nights was my cat when her tuna dinner was later. Now, I want to be home with Todd...not working. I just want to make a living...not live to work.

1943 — 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.

2008 — I think the best part of the "rule"above is the use of cantankerous. Ha! I filed that word in my mental roladex and will use it soon.

1943 — 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.

2008 — I believe that in today's work force a "husky" girl is less likely to be hired and more likely to be fired.

1943 — 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.

2008 — Little do they know...it's not our period that makes us crazy at work. It's stupid co-workers and bosses. Ha. Shhhh...that can be our secret.

1943 — 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.

2008 — So that’s where the work martyr syndrome (the disorder where women work longer and hard than necessary) originated from. Sheesh.

1943 — Give the female employee 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.

2008 — So is women’s lack of iniative the reason why women-owned businesses have grown at twice the national rate this millenium?

1943 — Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be nervous and they’re happier with change.

2008 — Naw...we don't need change at work to be happy...women are just smart and get bored doing the same task all day. Plus women are really fabulous multi-taskers. Just watch a stay at home mom....or ANY mom for that matter.

1943 – 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.

2008 — Rest? Women today don’t rest. Who has time between all the balancing, juggling, and multi-tasking to reapply lipstick? Besides, lipstick today can stay on for 8-straight-hours. Dude.

1943 — 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.

2008 – Really? Hillary Clinton is in the race to be president.

1943 — 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.

2008 — Oh fuck

1943 –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.

2008 — Because all men wear the same size too huh?

End scene. This has been fun.