Equality and Difference in the Workplace: Physical Job Demands, Occupational Illnesses, and Sex Differences

Struggles of women for safe and equal integration in the workplace confront discourse on biological differences as well as the reality of job/worker interactions. Biological specificities cannot be easily dismissed from consideration, particularly in blue-collar, manual jobs. Extreme job demands may be incompatible with the physical dimensions and capacities of most women. The authors, who have expertise in genetics, ergonomics, law, and physiology, argue that consideration of biological differences between women and men is necessary in order that the workplace be adapted to the physical dimensions and capacities of both sexes. The alternative to adapting jobs may be risks to women's health and employment possibilities. However, resistance to integrating women has, in the last analysis, little to do with biological differences and must be overcome by political action. The authors have arrived at suggestions for action by consulting working women in the context of a partnership with labor unions.