I've been led to understand that for woman working in industry during WWII it was illegal to try to change jobs. I've heard of a case of a lady working in the Hoover Factory in Greenford (converted to produce aircraft parts), and applying to operate canal boats. She was threatened with two years in prison. Can anyone provide more details on this law?
It was certainly forbidden to leave a 'reserved occupation'. Would the penalty have been for 'contempt of court' rather than specific to the resignation itself ?
Hi, From IWM site - Early 1941, it became compulsory for women aged between 18 and 60 to register for war work. Conscription of women began in December. Unmarried 'mobile' women between the ages of 20 and 30 were called up and given a choice between joining the services or working in industry. If they chose to work in industry they would be placed where the authorities felt they were best suited to make their contribution to the war effort. I can’t quote chapter and verse of the regulations on their “denial of movement” between jobs but employment was regulated by the Ministry of Labour. The Workers That Kept Britain Going During The Second World War Steve
