I recently ran across a “Guide to Hiring Women” from a 1943 magazine. Apparently the stress of supervising women in the workforce for the first time proved to be a real challenge for men, but luckily they had these helpful hints:

“Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility…they’re less likely to be flirtatious.” (Work, work, work…that’s all us married women think about, you know.)

“Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy.” (Never contacted the public? You mean like locked in a cellar? Because I can’t imagine how that would make a person fussy.)

“Those who are just a little on the heavy side are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.” (Well sure. Everyone knows that fat girls are jolly.)

“Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical examination [to] reveal whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.” (Female weaknesses, like, I’m guessing…compassion. Sympathy. Menstrual cramps.)

And my favorite: “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.” (Oh hell yeah. ‘Cause A GIRL’S GOTTA HAVE HER PRIORITIES IN ORDER.)