Second World War: female staff 1

The day after the war was declared in 1939, a bulletin was issued to managers requesting an urgent recruitment drive:

‘Unless we enrol an enormous number of women within the next few weeks, there is a strong possibility that in a few months as our male staff begin to go we shall find it very difficult to carry on.’

Women who had worked for Sainsbury’s prior to marriage created a reserve of experienced potential staff; preference for employment was also given to the wives of existing employees.

However, Sainsbury's had over-estimated the number of staff needed. There was a slower rate of call-up and a more gradual introduction of rationing then had been first expected. Trade also slumped due to the evacuation of women and children to safer areas. The result was that the company's wage bill rose by £100,000 per week, at a time when sales were falling.

Many women were therefore laid off within only a few months of starting work, although the company was quick to assure them that they would be the first to be called upon again if needed.

Nevertheless, the general managers considered that the recruitment drive had been a success:

‘In the long run we shall reap the very considerable advantage of a trained body of women, not a make-shift staff’.