:>Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees
:>
:>The following is an excerpt from the July 1943 issue of
:>"Transportation".
:>
:>This was serious and written for male supervisors of women in the
:>work force during World War II-a mere 54 years ago! 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.