City Desk

Being a Gal in the Workplace

Rosie

Usually e-mail forwards are stupid. The one I received today was not. In fact, I must share it. It has shown me how to be a better employee, nay, a better female employee. Back in 1943, Transportation Magazine published 11 tips for (male) managers on how to handle the new, necessary influx of lady employees in the workplace. Here are some of the most vital tips:

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.

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...reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

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.

So now I just have to get married, get husky, ask my doctor if I have any female weaknesses, and start bringing a comb and lipstick to work. Problems solved.

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Comments

  1. #1

    Instead of that somewhat-intimidating Rosie the Riveter poster, look around for the 1943 series with "Jenny On The Job," who is directed to get plenty of sleep, avoid doing factory work in heels, take the occasional shower, have fun after work, and "eat man-sized meals."
    http://www.library.northwestern.edu/govinfo/collections/wwii-posters/img/ww1645-15.jpg

    IMHO Jenny won WWII long after Rosie burned out. What a gal.

  2. #2

    There's a big bunch of "Jenny On The Job" posters here:

    http://tinyurl.com/68ayxr

  3. #3

    Well praise be! After 30 something years I've finally discovered the answer to all the issues that come with being a woman in the work place. Damn! If only I had married that doctor when I was 26!
    That does it! I'm getting some lipstick tomorrow! Ha! Ha! I wonder what they would have to say about my bralessness!

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