Health, equity, and reproductive risks in the workplace.

Potential exposure to occupational reproductive hazards raises complex questions regarding health and gender discrimination in the workplace. On the one hand, growing scientific evidence suggests that workplace exposures to either sex can cause a wide range of disorders ranging from infertility to adverse pregnancy outcomes. On the other hand, policies alleging to protect workers from reproductive risks have often reinforced gender inequalities in the workplace. This article sheds new light on this continuing debate through an examination of the policy insights suggested by a recent study of reproductive hazard policies in Massachusetts. In what ways do policies evidenced in this study reflect or differ from historical patterns of protectionism? The article presents a political-legal review of reproductive hazard policies in the workplace, then examines the policy implications of the Massachusetts study, and finally presents the prescriptions for change that are implied by both the historical and contemporary evidence.

Corporate response to reproductive hazards in the workplace: results of the Family, Work, and Health Survey.

As a part of a Family, Work, and Health Survey, we analyzed corporate practices regarding reproductive hazards in the chemical and electronics manufacturing industries in Massachusetts. Over half of the 198 firms surveyed had at least one of four designated reproductive hazards in use. Among these firms, 57% provided information on reproductive risks to employees. Nearly 20% of companies excluded certain classes of workers from substances, work areas, or occupations on the basis of reproductive health concerns. Another 13% offered voluntary transfers to workers concerned about reproductive risks. With one exception, all restrictions and transfers applied to women only--even when scientific evidence supports potential reproductive risk to both sexes. Analysis of corporate practices by industry type, and size, gender stratification, and unionization of the workforce was carried out. Results of the survey raise important public health concerns about corporate practices that may restrict women's job opportunities on the basis of reproductive status while underprotecting the health of male workers.