Double actions and ergonomics: A gender oriented case study

One of the open questions in ergonomics is how to collect data on work activities. This is particularly true for gender oriented research. Women normally perform tasks considered traditionally “natural” for them although outside the formal work assignment. Examples for such “invisible” tasks are: taking care and supporting others, putting order and cleaning the living and working environment, etc. Many occupational health studies examine the effects of work-related risks but often do not analyze the actual work activities and rarely take into account the invisible “natural” portion of these activities. Nevertheless the “invisible work” may be considered an important risk factor for the wellbeing of working women. Emotionally taxing work and interacting intimately (physically and psychologically) with others are the daily experience of many women, particularly those enrolled in the helping professions. In order to focus the “invisibile” portion of women&s;s work we need to observe and register all the work activities performed.