Overview
Discrimination against women in the workplace harms their health, well-being, and livelihoods, as well as their families. One Health Trust researchers are addressing gender discrimination in the workplace by analyzing the effects of gender diversity and mental health in the workplace on worker productivity in India, and by examining factors associated with incidence of depression and anxiety among women in the workplace in China and India.
Gender Peer Effects
One Health Trust researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial on gender integration and work productivity. The study was implemented in call centers in five Indian cities, in which a total of 765 employees were randomized to either mixed-sex teams (30–50% female) or control groups of same-sex teams.
Researchers found no effects on productivity and days worked during the study period due to assignment to a mixed-sex team. Women with self-reported high autonomy in their daily life assigned to mixed-sex teams worked more days than women with lower autonomy.
Male employees in mixed-sex teams who had progressive gender attitudes (based on their responses to questions about women’s employment, education, roles, and fertility) had higher productivity than men with less progressive gender attitudes. Knowledge sharing, dating, and comfort with the opposite sex increased for all male employees in mixed-sex teams, compared with all-male teams.
Working Women’s Mental Health
One Health Trust researchers are seeking to understand the incidence of depression and anxiety among working women in China and India. Using online quantitative surveys of working women in China and in Indian call centers in Udaipur, Bengaluru, Hubli, Bhopal, and Jamshedpur, plus a small number of in-depth qualitative interviews, researchers are identifying common workplace and personal stressors and their mental health implications.
Funding
- China-India Visiting Scholars (CIVS) Fellowship- Ashoka University
- International Growth Center (IGC) India
