“It is terrifically hard work while it lasts,” said one employer. If it is terrifically hard work for the employer with some capital, credit and business shrewdness, it is obvious that to the girl with no capital, no credit and no knowledge of trade conditions except as represented by her place, “laid off--slack” means an even more serious loss. According to census figures, 64% of the women employed in retail establishments are out of work in January. In August 65% are unemployed. In September, the busy wholesale month in the autumn, there is no room for 11% of the number needed in the spring. In June 45% are out of work. Of 639 positions in millinery held by the group of workers investigated, 447, or more than two-thirds, lasted less than six months. Although they sometimes found work in other trades when laid off from millinery, 60% of those who could estimate the time lost were unemployed more than three months in the year. “Millinery gets on my nerves,” said one girl, “because there is always the worry about the seasons.” The following is a calendar of a girl who had worked in millinery for a year. She was particularly fortunate in getting subsidiary work. August--Worked 3 weeks at millinery on Third avenue. Worked 1 week on Broadway. Laid off--slack. September--Looked for work. October--Worked at millinery on Sixth avenue 4 weeks. November--Worked at millinery on Sixth avenue 3 weeks. Laid off--slack. Sold candy one week. Left to return to millinery. December--Worked 3 weeks at millinery on Sixth avenue until the day before Christmas. Laid off--slack. Sold candy one week. January--Sold candy one month. February--Returned to millinery. March--Worked at millinery. April--Worked at millinery. May--Worked at millinery. Laid off--slack. June--Looked for work. July--Looked for work. The season also has its effect upon workroom conditions. “It’s rush, rush all the time and then nothing to do.” In 62% of the shops investigated the girls worked nine to nine and a half hours daily. A large majority had a working week of fifty to fifty-five hours. In only eight was the week less than fifty hours. In 86% of the shops the day’s work lasted regularly until six o’clock or later--an important fact when the question of evening school work is to be considered. 71% of the girls worked overtime in the busy season. During the overtime season the total hours varied from less than ten up to fifteen a day.