Work for Girls

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 69, 14 December 1933, Page 11

Work for Girls

Sir, —I too am much interested in “work for girls.” I have been for many years in positions where I have had to employ from four to 11 maids, and until recently. they have generally stayed with me for some years, or till they married. Their wages \ have varied from 15/- to 45/- a week, depending on the.work they do, and of course they “sleep in.” Each maid has about three hours off duty four afternoons a week, and also four evenings a week after the evening meal has been dared away and washed up. They also get from a week-end to three weeks off every four months. They certainly have to work hard and well while they are at it, and I have no time to be continually running round after them. When I engage a new maid, I give her a written detailed outline of her duties, which I fully explain to her. As long as the result is what I wish, I never mind how she sets about it. Everyone has her own ideas. I never “nag,” but if she does not improve after two or three weeks, and does not show signs of trying to after I have shown her the correct way, she is no good to me, and has to go. My maids have repeatedly told me that they have never worked under a kinder or more considerate mistress. I must, confess that when I interview a girl, her first question invariably is: “What are the wages,”, and the second, “what time do I get off.” They seldom show any interest in, or any questions about their work, and the majority are wholly untrained, and have no wish to be taught, and very few these days really want work. If girls would honestly try to do their best, and give their attention to their work, while they are at it, I feel sure they would save themselves and their mistresses much trouble. And mistresses might remember that sympathy and. a word of encouragement and appreciation of work well done, do help a lot.—l am, etc.. WELL-WISHER FOR WORKING GIRLS. December 11.