Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-13
VACATION TIME SHOULD
NOT DISRUPT BUSINESS
Eleanor Gilbert Says Women Should
Train Understudics for
Positions.
WORK SHOULD RUN SMOOTHLY
Often One Returns to Find Desk
Cluttcrcu Up With Err0rs-Proof
of Efficiency Is Proper Operation
in Absence.
ny ELEANOR GIlnEuT.

Vacation time brings it's aftermath To
many business women. II means recti
tying the mistakes of a substitute and
sailing into double the amount OF ac-
cumulated work.
close my eyes to tho fact that va
cation time will end" admitted one
much har3ssed business Noman 81
look upon my two weeks away from,
business us though il were going 20
last an con. because if looked beyond
l would spoil my vacation"
There ere. of course. very few
unique jobs built around highly spc-
ciaiized knowledge where it is next
TO smp"ssinie to obtain first class
is away. But truth to tell practically
every job there is nowadays can be
hiled by a competent substitute. pro
vlded standard practice instructions
are available, or a "manual'' has been
prepared.
Many To Fiji Places.
Just as every business man thinks
ms business entirely different in needs
SO do many business women believe the
pecuiiarities OF their jobs are under
stood by themselves alone and nobody
else can replace them even for a few
weeks. But even n Secretary Of state
isn't indcspensa hle and lesser mor:aIs
have proportionately easier time find
ing understudes.
But IL she would have an easy con.
science on her vacation and only nor
NAL amount OF work for herself on re-
return. II is up to the efficient business
woman TO leave for her temporary sue.
cessor some standard practise instruc-
tons and also "A schedule of daily work
In some organizations Of the most
nowadays that every Individual mus,
prepare such A set of standard prac-
lce instructions howing just wha,
tasks are performed and how they are
handled; sometimes these s,anda I'd
practice instructions are prepared by
an outside expert who studies the or
Sanization.
Should Give Instructions
Such instructions insure the smooth
unexpected absences or departures in.
stead of the old-ti,n< method of quickly
recruiting some individual ineXper
ienced in the work and letting her
nouhder around until -ne found her
self
She. of course. innocently and liz.
norantly made numerous errors which
later had to be rectitied by the per.
mancnt employee. Hui with ,ioGmit.
instructions the adequately educated
substitute that has been appointed car
at least handle the routine work intel
liEcntly and so prevent the accumuia
ton of matter and avoid errors
schedule showing just what work
should be done each hour OF the day
off leftover accumulation o. work. \
card index showing sources Of iufor.
nation" In he used by the substitute
would prevent great deal OF waste
time and insure Information being OBJ.
tanned from correct sources any time
doubt arose.
Vacation Testing Time.
Vacation time is n good testing tims
OF efficiency. The really competent
in its detail that there is harely
creak in the machinery of the bushes:
when she takes brief vacation. There
are offices in which mighty uphcavals
prevail the month or so before and
after Miss Blank takes her vacation
And mighty important Miss Blank feels
under the circumstances. The fact is
however. that such 4 condition is proof
of her inefficicncy i'll failing properly
10 organize her own job