Verbal abuse and threatened or actual violence can be significant causes of stress. However, those working in residential homes were most likely to have been subject to physical attack. There was considerable dissatisfaction with support provided by employers after attack. Home and work Combining work and domestic responsibilities requires considerable juggling. Among managers, social workers and residential workers a higher proportion of men than women had responsibilities for children under 12, but the proportion having other caring responsibilities was about a quarter in all four occupational groups.
Equal opportunities issues The study addressed a number of different equal opportunities issues.
Questions about race evoked a high percentage of 'don't know' or 'not sure' responses. Respondents were asked whether, in their current job, they had experienced discrimination, intimidation or harassment from colleagues or managers because of their perceived community identity. Those affected were most likely to be Protestant among home care workers and Catholic in the other groups. For further information about this study contact the Research Unit.