A wise philosopher has said, “Every man is as lazy as he dares to be,” and the average laundry employee is like the rest of the world in that respect. Few of them love the work for the work’s sake, and if the weekly wage is not sufficiently large to be attractive, they will be lazy and neglect their work if they have opportunity. [Sidenote: Manager’s Duties] A competent manager for the laundry is essential for successful work, especially in a large institution. This person should know how to manage his staff of helpers so as to secure the best possible service, and should have a knowledge of the needs of the institution where his own department is concerned, and of the work that is important to be done without delay. Good common sense in arranging the time when the different parts of the work should be done, will prevent much trouble in any laundry. Nurses’ clothing and articles not in constant demand, that are returned but once a week, can be laid aside to make way for the things in constant demand. When once a competent manager is secured, the buying of supplies may be safely entrusted to him. But, unfortunately for the hospital housekeeper, few except the larger hospitals can afford the luxury of a skilled manager for the laundry. A head laundress is the nearest they can approach to such a luxury, and even that much needed individual is often out of reach. In many cases the hospital housekeeper, in addition to her other duties, has really to take the place of manager of the laundry. Where several laundresses are employed, and none are fitted for directing the work of others, it is a wise provision for the housekeeper to personally divide the work and assign it, and have each laundress responsible to her. The servant problem has assumed such an acute form that it requires delicate handling in any household, and where the character of the work is as important as that of the hospital laundry, every possible tendency to friction should be avoided. [Sidenote: Laundry Workers] Let laundry workers understand fully what their hours of work shall be, and that they are expected to be in their places promptly at the hour. Explain the importance of having the supplies for the wards and operating rooms constantly kept up to the mark, and also the linen for the trays. Prohibit visitors during working hours. It is always better to make such prohibitions when engaging help rather than wait for some occasion to call it forth. The occasion will certainly come unless it is anticipated and prevented. Make some provision for them to do their own personal washing, and let it be plainly understood they are not to take in washing from other sources to increase their income. That is sometimes tried and carried on very successfully, if it is found that the laundry has not careful supervision. If it is not desirable for their own washing to be done in connection with the hospital, then a time must be arranged for it.