This edited volume discusses how deeply entrenched gender norms in work environments, even in welfare economies, can affect women’s health in an adverse way. The volume provides a broad overview of contributing factors. It derives specific answers from case studies in Sweden, a welfare state where women’s labour market participation is very high, but where horizontal and vertical gender segregation in work is also one of the highest in the world. Women tend to work in occupations that are heavily dominated by women. An issue in women-dominated occupations is a considerably higher sickness absence than men, with the highest rates being in human service and care occupations. This volume adds to the literature on health and wellbeing in women-dominated professions and workplaces through studying the work environment, organizational changes, digitalization, threats, violence and conflict, and work conditions that could contribute to healthier workplaces for women. In addition, it pointsto the need for deeper gender analysis in work norms, and using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. It is of interest to social and behavioural scientists studying work, gender and health, as well as HR professionals and policy makers.
Britt-Inger Keisu is an associate professor in sociology and heads the Umeå Centre for Gender Studies at Umeå University, Sweden. Her main research interest is gender and organization theory. She has received several research grants, all of them with research focus on organizational factors that are important for employees and managers, such as (in)equality, work environment and health issues.
Susanne Tafvelin is an associate professor and registered psychologist at the Department of Psychology, Umeå University. Her research concerns the role of leadership and the work environment for employee health and well-being. She has received numerous awards for her research on leadership and stress, and published her work in prestigious journals like Work and Stress and Stress and Health.
Helene Brodin holds a PhD in Economic History and is Associate Professor in Social Work, Stockholm University. Her main research concern intersectional theories, care policies and care work with a special focus on how New Public Management (NPM) has affected working conditions and the distribution of services in the welfare sector. She has received several research grants, all of them with a research focus on how norms of gender contribute to shape and affect working conditions and the work environment in the women-dominated public welfare sector.
