Women's Safety and Health Issues at Work

Work Structure and Stress

Work organization and job stress are topics of growing concern. Levels of stress-related illness are nearly twice as high for women compared to men.¹ Job stress has been linked with heart disease, muscle/bone disorders, depression, and burnout. NIOSH is working to find causes of workplace stress and possible ways to prevent it. Many job conditions add to stress among women, such as (1) heavy workload demands, (2) little control over work, (3) role uncertainty and conflict, (4) job insecurity, (5) poor relationships with coworkers and supervisors, and (6) work that is narrow, repetitive, and boring. Other factors, such as sexual harassment and work and family balance issues, may also be stressors for women in the workplace.

NIOSH publications that directly relate to work structure and stress in working women include:

Gender and age differences in posttraumatic stress disorder and depression among Buffalo police officers
This study looked at the possibility of increased change for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in police officers. The study found the frequency of depression was greater among women (22.0%) than men (12.1%), yet differences were less evident for PTSD (36.6% women, 34.5% men). Depression and PTSD seemed to increase with age and were not explained by gender, marital status, or education.

Job stress among female flight attendants
This study looked at constant job stressors among flight attendants. Researchers wanted to study the relationships between job stressors and psychological distress and job unhappiness. Researchers found moderate to low levels of distress and dissatisfaction. Lowering job stressors and enhancing social support may improve the well-being and job satisfaction of flight attendants.

Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA-97-0137-3026: New York City Police Department, Police Communications Section
Both management and union representatives were concerned that conditions at the 911 Call Center were noisy and highly stressful. This study looked at workers from the New York City Police 911 Emergency Response Communication Center to learn more about their level of stress. NIOSH investigators concluded that conditions at the 911 Call Center contributed to the increased reporting of depressive symptoms and that a health hazard did exist, but that noise levels were not inappropriately high.

Stressors and adverse outcomes for female construction workers
This study looked at how job stressors, such as sexual harassment and gender- based discrimination, can affect female construction workers job satisfaction and psychological and physical health. The study found having responsibility for others' safety and having support from supervisors and male coworkers were related to greater job satisfaction. The study also found perceptions of overcompensation at work and job uncertainty were associated with insomnia. Sexual harassment and gender discrimination were found to be related to reports of increased nausea and headaches.

Work schedule during pregnancy and spontaneous abortion
This study looked at whether work schedule can affect the risk of miscarriage in U.S. nurses. Researchers found night work and long work hours may be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.

For additional information about work structure and stress that applies to male and female workers, check out these other NIOSH web pages:

• Plain Language About Shiftwork
• Stress...At Work Booklet
• Stress at Work
• Work Schedules: Shift work and long work hours