Measuring Perceptions of Work Environment Among Educated Female Public Servants in Pakistan

Byline: FARIDA FAISAL* Abstract. This paper provides empirical evidence on the extent to which the work environment of public sector organizations of Pakistan is sensitive to women's needs. Perception of Work Environment Index (PWEI) has been developed to measure satisfaction of female public servants with the opportunities, facilities and inter-relationships for smooth career advancement given their special needs and requirements. The data were collected by administering PWEI through face-to-face interviews with 300 women belonging to administrative, health and education sectors. Results show that while the work environment may not be openly hostile, women employees were dissatisfied with arrangements to accommodate their personal and family needs. Significant differences were found in perceptions of women belonging to different categories of public sector organizations. Unmarried females working on contract were more satisfied with the working conditions than married women on permanent posts.