Women Workers in Seven Professions: A Survey of Their Economic Conditions and Prospects
General
Women Workers in Seven Professions: A Survey of Their Economic Conditions and Prospects
Vocational guidance; Women -- Employment -- Great Britain
"Art. 6. Enables a Sanitary Authority to determine the appointment of
a Health Visitor by giving her three months' notice, and no woman may
be appointed unless she agrees to give three months' notice previous
to resigning the office or to forfeit a sum to be agreed.
"Art. 8. Outlines the duties of the Health Visitor but prohibits
her from discharging duties pertaining to the position of a Sanitary
Inspector (unless with the consent of the Board she holds the dual
appointment).
"Art. 9. The Board's approval is required to the salary to be paid
to the Health Visitor, and an allowance in respect of clothing, where
uniform or other distinctive dress is required, may be made."
The Board in their circular letter state that they consider that,
in consideration of the importance of the duties and of the salaries
often paid to Women Sanitary Inspectors in London, the salary ought
not to be less than £100 per annum.
It will be seen from the above that it is quite possible for a Health
Visitor to be appointed practically without any qualification for the
position, and with absolutely no knowledge of Public Health Law and
sanitation.
It is, therefore, apparent that there are two classes of women
officials in connection with Public Health Departments, one on the
same footing as the men, with equal powers and responsibilities, but
remunerated at a much lower rate, and another with a lower status and
a still lower rate of remuneration. The duties of the second class may
be performed equally well by the first, but the duties of the first
cannot be performed by the second. The introduction of the Health
Visitor has therefore lowered the status of the Public Health Service.
The remedy for this state of affairs is for competent woman officials
in the future to be appointed in the dual capacity of Sanitary
Inspector and Health Visitor at an adequate remuneration, and for
the order of 1891 defining the duties of a Sanitary Inspector to be
expanded to meet the developments which have been taking place in the
Public Health Acts since that date.
There are two organisations which Women Sanitary Inspectors may
join:--
(1) The Women Sanitary Inspectors' Association, which includes
as members Women Sanitary Inspectors and Health Visitors holding
recognised certificates in sanitation. (Health Visitors holding
official appointments but without these recognised certificates in
sanitation may become associates.)
(2) The Sanitary Inspectors' Association, which is composed of a large
number of Men Sanitary Inspectors and a few Women Sanitary Inspectors.
This is not open to Health Visitors.
There is no approved society for Sanitary Inspectors under the
Insurance Act. The income of the majority of Men Inspectors exempts
them from the operation of the Act, but a large number of Men and
Women Inspectors receiving less than £160 per annum, have joined
the approved society of the National Association of Local Government
Officers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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