Men and Women in the Workplace: Evidence of Occupational Differences

Findings of a study conducted among the headquarters staff of a major Council in Perth, Western Australia are examined. It was found that women were less satisfied than men with their jobs. Women also appeared to believe that female‐dominated jobs were the first to be reduced during times of economic hardship, because people in authority did not rate their jobs as highly as male‐dominated jobs. Although,there was no difference between males′ and females′ overall occupational stress there were differences when individual occupational stressors were considered. Women were more affected by situations which prevented them growing within their jobs while males′ stress was negatively influenced by factors related to their status within the organisation. Males were less likely to use the social support contacts within the organisation because they appeared to consider such help could be a disadvantage when promotion opportunities arose.