National Archives documents show public service battle against women in the workplace

[lurker172602]

Australian Public Service bosses realised 95 years ago that equal rights for women in the workplace could transform the bureaucracy.

They then vowed to stop it happening.

The Royal Commission into Public Service Administration in 1920 found women were "physiologically" inferior to men in the workplace and "usually" had nervous breakdowns if given positions of responsibility.

Where similar duties are performed by men and women ... the experience throughout the world has been that equal services are not rendered owing to the fact that constitutionally women are unable to give such continuous effort as men and are absent from duty for health reasons to a far greater extent."

more here

I'm pretty sure I read echoes of the same thinking on here just this morning.

[wilk1149]

Pretty hard to change attitudes when parents pass them on deliberately or not

[vicr3000]

lurker

You gave me a good laugh this morning.

From your link

"The Royal Commission into Public Service Administration in 1920 found women were "physiologically" inferior to men in the workplace and "usually" had nervous breakdowns if given positions of responsibility."

Haven't read anything so funny in ages.

"physiologically" inferior to men in the workplace"

Most work placs don't require you to be "physical".

[vicr3000]

"The Royal Commission into Public Service Administration in 1920 found women were "physiologically" inferior to men in the workplace and "usually" had nervous breakdowns if given positions of responsibility.

Where similar duties are performed by men and women ... the experience throughout the world has been that equal services are not rendered owing to the fact that constitutionally women are unable to give such continuous effort as men and are absent from duty for health reasons to a far greater extent.""

Tell that to Maggie Thatcher !

She'd hit you with that hand bag of hers, the one that made most male Pollies quiver in their shoes.

Including Ronald Reagan

[lurker172602]

Well, that's good. You just gave me a LOL moment too. There are none so blind as those that cannot see. 

[vicr3000]

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@lurker172602 wrote:

Well, that's good. You just gave me a LOL moment too. There are none so blind as those that cannot see. 

---

Are you referring to "women were "physiologically" inferior to men in the workplace"

and my comment this morning about the female who couldn't pass the tests ?

And not commenting on it above ?

[lurker172602]

That is correct. My point being, that what may appear correct thinking at the time is often show by history to be blatantly incorrect.

Also, I have previously asked you not to contact me outside of the public sphere. I would ask you to respect that request. Thank you.

[vicr3000]

The fact is, some or the majority of women are "physiologically" inferior to men in SOME workplaces.

[bluecat*dancing]

Women were deemed to be unsuited for jobs in the Clerical Division in the Public Service. Hardly physiologically challenging work.

[wilk1149]

These are the same people that thought Australia was white