If a servant employed in a family hears of another situation
and, without the emplojer's consent, leaves at once, or on the
following day, he or she forfeits claim to wages of his or her
week or month. In many cases servants are influenced by
friends in snch precipitate action, and should realize they do an
injustice to themselves as well as to their employer.
An employer may engagé a servant on one week^s trial and,
at the end of the week, both may be satisfied. But if later, per-
haps in the second or third week, the servant becomes careless,
neglects duties, and when reproved replies impertinently, the
employer may discharge him or her with wages to date.
The Q^e8tion of Beferenoes
As a general mie a master is not obliged to give a reference,
and statements in regard to the character of servants, to those
who intend to employ them, are generally regarded as privileged
Communications. In other words, a master or mistress is not
.bonnd to give a servant a character or letter of recommendation.
If such is given, it should be truthful. If the servant is not a
good one, care must be used in the wording of the reference.
Penalty for forgìng a Beferenoe by Self or Proxy
A reference made by a person with malicious intent and con-
taining false statements calculated to injure and harm the servant
would be libelous and not privileged.
A servant obtaining employment by any false or forged letter
or certificate of recommendation is guilty of a misdemeanor. A
6 MR8. SEELT'8 COOK BOOK
misdemeaDor is punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiaiy,
or county jail, for not more than one year, or by a fine of not
more than $500, or by both.
Penalty for personatinff an Bmploirer
Any individuai who personates a master or mistress and
gives a servant a character is liable to punishment. A servant
altering a written character, or offering a false one from a person
representing a master or mistress, is also liable.
Biirht to Fare to Plaoe of Bntfagement
If servants are going a distance, it should be understood
that if they leave bef ore the master is ready to return, they must
pay their own fare back. If the servant remains during the
period for which he or she is engaged, his fare is paid both ways.
Heads of a House must indorae Manacrement
The heads of a household must indorso any one to whom
they deputo the management of their establishment. Too much
stress cannot be laid upon this necessity. The responsibilities
of the housekeeper rest heavily upon her, and the heads of the
house should never give ear to the complaint of a disafiPected or
malicious servant. Such reports should always be sent to the
one whom they chiefly concem.
For the heads of the house to listen is to give credenoe at
least in part, to disintegrate authority, and to take it from hands
in which it is frankly placed. It is the beginning of disorder.
And in housekeeping order is a first law.
To guard BzaotionB of Servanta, One of Another
The exactions of servants toward one another is another
point which should be caref ully guarded against. In any group
of persons, even if there are only three or f our, there is com-
BIGHT8 AND DUTIE8 OF SERVANTB 7
Page 5
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If a servant employed in a family hears of another situation
and, without the emplojer's consent, leaves at once, or on the
following day, he or she forfeits claim to wages of his or her
week or month. In many cases servants are influenced by
friends in snch precipitate action, and should realize they do an
injustice to themselves as well as to their employer.
An employer may engagé a servant on one week^s trial and,
at the end of the week, both may be satisfied. But if later, per-
haps in the second or third week, the servant becomes careless,
neglects duties, and when reproved replies impertinently, the
employer may discharge him or her with wages to date.
The Q^e8tion of Beferenoes
As a general mie a master is not obliged to give a reference,
and statements in regard to the character of servants, to those
who intend to employ them, are generally regarded as privileged
Communications. In other words, a master or mistress is not
.bonnd to give a servant a character or letter of recommendation.
If such is given, it should be truthful. If the servant is not a
good one, care must be used in the wording of the reference.
Penalty for forgìng a Beferenoe by Self or Proxy
A reference made by a person with malicious intent and con-
taining false statements calculated to injure and harm the servant
would be libelous and not privileged.
A servant obtaining employment by any false or forged letter
or certificate of recommendation is guilty of a misdemeanor. A
6 MR8. SEELT'8 COOK BOOK
misdemeaDor is punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiaiy,
or county jail, for not more than one year, or by a fine of not
more than $500, or by both.
Penalty for personatinff an Bmploirer
Any individuai who personates a master or mistress and
gives a servant a character is liable to punishment. A servant
altering a written character, or offering a false one from a person
representing a master or mistress, is also liable.
Biirht to Fare to Plaoe of Bntfagement
If servants are going a distance, it should be understood
that if they leave bef ore the master is ready to return, they must
pay their own fare back. If the servant remains during the
period for which he or she is engaged, his fare is paid both ways.
Heads of a House must indorae Manacrement
The heads of a household must indorso any one to whom
they deputo the management of their establishment. Too much
stress cannot be laid upon this necessity. The responsibilities
of the housekeeper rest heavily upon her, and the heads of the
house should never give ear to the complaint of a disafiPected or
malicious servant. Such reports should always be sent to the
one whom they chiefly concem.
For the heads of the house to listen is to give credenoe at
least in part, to disintegrate authority, and to take it from hands
in which it is frankly placed. It is the beginning of disorder.
And in housekeeping order is a first law.
To guard BzaotionB of Servanta, One of Another
The exactions of servants toward one another is another
point which should be caref ully guarded against. In any group
of persons, even if there are only three or f our, there is com-
BIGHT8 AND DUTIE8 OF SERVANTB 7