This is how my partner and I talk about our office staff.

Excellent find, thepinky.
I certainly hope this gets sifted.

Although some may find this to be a comedic reflection of our paradigmatic shift of thinking, this flux of change on the workforce from when women were entering the workforce changed the dynamic considerably, and considerably for the better, I think. More discretionary discussion about rules, fairer workplaces, active dialogue with superiors. I think there are a lot of positive points to be lifted from this video.

I agree that there are many positive points. The great thing about this video is that many of the things they say are true. The problem is that they are coming at this issue from the wrong angle, reflecting their own ignorance about women, I think. They make mistakes like commenting that women are not "naturally" familiar with mechanical terminology. As if men are "naturally" familiar. They also shamelessly stereotyped women by saying that they're "individualistic by nature," that they "don't mind routine, repetitive work," that they "give you a crazy argument" or "switch the issue." They certainly didn't have PC down in the '40s, but I really believe that their intentions were good. The poor guys probably needed a lot of help getting used to the changes just as the women did.

lol, I do the explanation routine at 9 minutes in as a matter of practice, with both male and female staff. We don't deal with dangerous machines, usually, but I find it more effective with all people. Welcome to the Sift thepinky, nice contribution!

"Broad" principles indeed.

Interesting video.

My suspicion is that some of the things that strike us as sexist really were issues. The problem is that the men involved--and perhaps the women, as well, if my 90-year-old great aunt is any indication--took some of the qualities men and women had absorbed from the surrounding culture and took them to be natural, to be "just the way things are."

For instance, "women don't mind routine, repetitive work." Much of the work of keeping a house spotless and in order qualifies. Perhaps these women, accustomed as they were to sewing, cleaning, and other tasks, really were on the whole very tolerant of repetitive tasks, having been accustomed to them. (There are always exceptions, of course.)

While many of the ideas promulgated in the video are clearly sexist, I suspect that they were necessary transitions to a much more enlightened attitude. (Of course, we today may not be as enlightened as we think; there are continuing challenges for women in many sectors of society.)

I asked my father, with 30 years of (Canadian) corporate security under his belt, for his insight. I take full responsibility for it.

You think female stereotypes were typical of the 40's?!

I'm still hearing them from my contemporaries today. Of course a lot has changed since then. Today, my director is a woman, and as of next week, so will my manager be. So I guess it's time for the sequel; "Being Supervised by Women in the Workplace".

I guess the big difference is that while gender like race, is still A factor in workplace dynamics, it has lost a lot of its importance. Increasingly, we are seen as individuals, with unique sets of skills and aptitudes.

Isn't interesting how in these scenarios, the supervisor always seems to called Joe? Even in William C. Byham's more recent book ZAPP! The Lightening of Empowerment, excerpted below, the hapless supervisor is called Joe Mode. It's a great book by the way.

http://resources.sai-iowa.org/supportstaff/parable.html

PS
I personally think the thumbnail on this video is very misleading.
Heh.

*findthumb hoping there's another...

A different thumbnail image for this video could not be found for findthumb request by doogle.

Thanks for your Dad's comment. It's a very good one, especially coming from a man with his experience. I love that he appreciates that female stereotypes still exist today. Tell him I said thanks, will ya?

>> ^doogle:
I asked my father, with 30 years of (Canadian) corporate security under his belt, for his insight. I take full responsibility for it.

You think female stereotypes were typical of the 40's?!
I'm still hearing them from my contemporaries today. Of course a lot has changed since then. Today, my director is a woman, and as of next week, so will my manager be. So I guess it's time for the sequel; "Being Supervised by Women in the Workplace".
I guess the big difference is that while gender like race, is still A factor in workplace dynamics, it has lost a lot of its importance. Increasingly, we are seen as individuals, with unique sets of skills and aptitudes.
Isn't interesting how in these scenarios, the supervisor always seems to called Joe? Even in William C. Byham's more recent book ZAPP! The Lightening of Empowerment, excerpted below, the hapless supervisor is called Joe Mode. It's a great book by the way.
http://resources.sai-iowa.org/supportstaff/parable.html

*promote

Promoting this video back to the front page; last published Sunday, June 8th, 2008 3:16pm PDT - promote requested by MrFisk.

I'm so glad I don't live 60 years ago.

Yay! This was my first submission ever!

>> ^thepinky:
Yay! This was my first submission ever!


And a good one, too. Holy has shit changed for the better =P