In North America, most women with young children have paid jobs. Access to multiple roles may give women more choices and result in better health, but it may also occasion psychological distress, depending on paid and unpaid working conditions. A questionnaire study of 115 male and 187 female working parents of children under 13, employed in health care, energy and communications, provided detail on workplace policies and conditions that can affect the ability to balance work and family. Women reported much more participation in household tasks than men, and much more difficulty in balancing work and family. For women with a working spouse, such difficulties were significantly associated with rigid work schedules, weekend work, difficulty accessing a telephone at work and having at least one child under 5, in a multiple logistic regression. Psychological distress (Ilfeld index) was related to rigid schedules, difficulties with supervisors, and low income. Telephone operators, who receive their very irregular and variable work schedules only four days before they become effective, report exceptionally high levels of psychological distress. For men whose wives worked, difficulties balancing work and family were significantly associated with a non-standard work week for at least one spouse, lack of emotional support from the spouse, and having a child or children under 5. Psychological distress was associated with rigid schedules and dissatisfaction with pay level. Work schedules incompatible with family life should be a concern in occupational health intervention for both sexes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Recognize that work-family balancing is not a private affair alone but is dependent on workplace conditions 2. Take into account gender differences in work-family balancing experience 3.Incorporate work-family balancing requirements in occupational health promotion programs 4.Better evaluate and improve work-family balancing programs in industry 5.List five workplace factors related to work-family balancing
Keywords: Gender, Occupational Exposure
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: N/A
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.