These common sources of work stress for women are still with us, though fortunately less than in the past thanks to the efforts of the women’s movement, which has made most people respect women’s rights in the workplace.
If you feel you’ve been discriminated against in selection or promotion or in any way intimidated or harassed because you’re a woman, you must speak out: bottling up your anger and resentment can have a bad effect on health. Report the matter promptly to your union representative, staff counsellor or personnel supervisor. Documentation and witnesses will help your case. Don’t let anyone rush you into or talk you out of taking action until you have been well counselled and feel quite sure that any possible outcome would be to your advantage.
The economic downturn of recent years has resulted in many women and men, both young and older, being unemployed. Vocational training and tertiary education no longer guarantee employment for anyone, and many people who have spent years building up skills and experience are suddenly faced with retrenchment or early retirement.
Unemployment can be a much greater health hazard than working. The financial hardships, shattered life and career plans, changes in lifestyle and loss of self-esteem resulting from unemployment put a terrible strain on individuals and families pie Health disorders due to stress are common consequences. Most government, employment services offer counselling to help people cope better with being out of a job. But apart from heeding this advice and using your (unwanted) free time to indulge or expand your interests, we can only try to remain optimistic, especially that the economy will pick up.
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