Working Women Under Stress |
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Despite all that they have achieved for themselves, women are still too often discriminated against in a work context-often indirectly, but the effects can be as damaging as if it were overtly. Women are still having to fight for acceptance in professions still overwhelmingly dominated by men. They may have to prove themselves extra hard, and may encounter disturbing and stressful levels of hostility, prejudice, sexism and harassment.
As the number of women achieving executive status increases, so, perhaps predictably, but significantly, does the incidence of stress- related illness in women. In general, women are too often still paid less than men, or are given jobs which do not carry sufficient security. Women still encounter tremendous difficulties in fulfilling the dual role of maintaining a home as well as working outside it, with concomitant feelings of anxiety and guilt.
Useful steps which women can take to ensure that they are subjected to minimum special stress at work include first and foremost some reorganization of home and childcare to ensure that the two sides of life run together as smoothly as possible. It would be wise, too, to find out as much as possible about any prospective employer in terms of attitudes towards maternity leave and equal opportunities. And to find out whether the company provides crèche facilities, or could be persuaded to do so.
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