Key-punch machines are used to record information which has been coded for special cards. The machines, similar in operation and action to typewriters, punch a series of holes in the cards in a specified sequence. The operator places the card in the machine and sets the

carriage for the perforating operation. She then depresses the correct symbols on the keyboard, thereby transcribing the information into perforations on the cards.

Frequently, these cards go to a verifier operator who operates a keyboard-type machine that checks and verifies the accuracy of the information punched on the cards to make sure that the correct entries have been made. The verifier operator presses keys on a keyboard corresponding to the keyboard used when the card was originally punched. The verifying machine fails to operate when a key is pressed on an incorrectly punched card, that is, when the hole punched is not in the correct position. The operator, therefore, removes the incorrect card and makes a new card on the key-punch machine.

Sorting machines are used to select automatically from a large group of cards certain ones of a desired series and classification. The sorting-machine operator places the cards in the feed box of the machine and sets the controls of the selecting device. She starts the machine, which feeds the cards past a selecting device, and then removes the cards from the separate bins into which they fall.

After the cards have been sorted, they go to the tabulating-machine operator, who places them in a machine that automatically translates the information represented by the holes in the cards and prints it on form sheets or other records. The operator sets or adjusts the machine to make the desired calculations and "print-out."

Cashiers

The cashier's job is a very familiar one to most people, since cashiers deal directly with the public in restaurants, hotels, theaters, grocery stores, and many other retail and service establishments, as well as in offices. The cashier uses a cash register to record by means of numbered and lettered keys and a recording tape, cash receipts and payments. She may record amounts due on accounts, balance the accounts when payments are made, make change, prepare bank deposits, and perform a variety of related duties. In doing some of this work, she may use an adding machine, calculator, or other office machine.

Some cashiers are responsible only for recording on the machine tape the prices of items selected by a customer, totaling these prices by machine, receiving payment, making change, and balancing out the receipts and items listed at the end of the day. Others, however, may be responsible for the receipts and payments of a number of other cashiers, or for preparing payrolls, or keeping accounts.

Many cashiers who work in retail stores are members of the Retail Clerks International Association or the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. These unions are affiliated with the AFL-CIO and include some office workers, as well as salespersons and cashiers..

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

Office-machine operators and cashiers are required to be able to operate their machines with a high degree of speed and accuracy. Cashiers must also be able to make change rapidly and correctly, and some may be required to have a knowledge of bookkeeping. Training in the operation of various business machines, including cash registers, is given in many high schools and private business schools and business colleges. Some firms train their own workers on the job and pay them a trainee's rate until they reach a certain level of proficiency.

The training time required for these jobs varies from a short demonstration and practice period on the job to as much as one or two years in school, depending upon whether the worker needs to know only the routine operation of the machine or whether greater responsibilities are involved. This is particularly true for bookkeepingmachine operator and cashier jobs which involve payroll or special accounts work and require a good knowledge of bookkeeping procedures and practices.

Beginner jobs for operators of sorting machines, duplicating machines, bookkeeping machines, and for cashiers (for example, grocery checkers) can be learned on the job through a short demonstration and practice period up to about 30 days. Where the job involves more than the routine operation of the machine, however, the training time may run as long as 3 to 6 months.

Calculating-machine or comptometer operators average 30 days to 3 months of training time, while operators of billing machines, keypunch machines, tabulating machines, and verifiers average 3 to 6 months of training.

Accuracy is extremely important in this work, particularly for cashiers who frequently handle large amounts of cash. Hand and finger dexterity is a requirement for all operators of business machines. For most of these jobs persons with a high-school education are preferred. Cashiers, computing-machine, and key-punch operators may be required to be high-school graduates. In addition, cashiers and operators of bookkeeping machines and computing machines must be good at numbers. Typing ability is helpful in operating most of these machines. Good vision is needed for some types of machines. A memory for details is another important asset and, es

pecially in the case of cashiers who must be "bonded" (insured against theft), honesty is a prime requirement.

In cooperation with business firms, some manufacturers of specialized business machines provide training courses in the operation of their particular machines. After a specified training period, the trainee usually receives a certificate which indicates that she has satisfactorily completed the course.

WHERE EMPLOYED

Office-machine operators and cashiers are employed in almost every industry. Some 30 percent of 117,000 office-machine operators in 1950 were employed by manufacturing industries, the largest numbers being in firms manufacturing electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies and motor vehicles and equipment. These two industries together employed more than 5 percent of the group. Wholesale and retail trade firms employed more than 20 percent of the total. General merchandise and department stores alone employed about 5 percent of the total, and wholesale food firms were next in importance. Finance, insurance, and real estate employed almost 15 percent of all office-machine operators, with some 5 percent in banking and credit agencies and more than 5 percent in insurance companies. Federal, State, and local governments employed just over 10 percent of the total.

The majority of cashiers-more than 60 percent of the 184,000 reported in 1950-were employed in retail trade. The largest numbers were working in food stores (more than 20 percent of the total); restaurants and other eating and drinking places (over 10 percent); general merchandise and department stores (over 10 percent); and clothing and drug stores. Additional large numbers were employed by theaters and motion-picture houses (10 percent of the total), and by hotels and lodging houses, insurance companies, and banking and credit agencies.

EARNINGS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Many of the working conditions described for secretaries, stenographers, and typists also apply to office-machine operators and cashiers. However, some office-machine operators, and also some typists, work in large rooms where many machines are in use. Unless the ceilings and walls are soundproofed, the noise of the machines may make it difficult to talk or to hear what others say. Cashiers

may work in the box-office of a theater, in a restaurant, or in a grocery or other retail store where the surroundings are quite different from an office. For some jobs, they may have to work at night or may have to be on their feet most of the time. Since opportunities for employment exist in a wide variety of industries, a competent worker may be able to choose the kind of job surroundings which best suit her.

Many aspects of office work are the same for all employees, and girls interested in becoming office-machine operators or cashiers will want to look through part 1, especially the section on "Advantages of Office Work." This section contains information they will want to have about the usual office practices with regard to working hours, holidays, vacations, sick leave, and health and insurance plans.

Average wages of office-machine operators are reported by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics in the same report that covers secretaries, stenographers, and typists. In any city, beginning pay rates would be lower, and top rates would be higher, than the average. Moreover, the figures are for a standard workweek (usually 371⁄2 to 40 hours) and do not include any overtime pay. The average wages of women operators of eight different kinds of office machines are provided in the following table.

Average weekly wage of women in selected office-machine occupations, in 17 metropolitan areas during 1956-57

Source: U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bull. 1202 Series-Individual areas.