Note on the effects of home duties on factory employment of women. A study of absenteeism in a group of 144 voluntary factory workers

Abstract

A study was made of factors leading to loss of working time in a local group of 144 women voluntary factory workers. The majority were single women whose interests centred in their families. One-third of these 144 women, owing to disability of some near relative, had home duties which they realized were sufficiently heavy to interfere at times with their factory work; a contributory cause of absenteeism was ill-health, ascribed by many workers to cold and draughty working environment. Examination of the factory records showed more than twice the rate of absenteeism due to certified sickness among women with home ties and responsibilities.This study was made possible by the willing cooperation of the Factory Management and their Welfare Department and of the women workers concerned.