When Women Work For Women

A new study by the University of Toronto says women who have to answer to a female supervisor feel more stressed than if their superior is male. They suffer from far more depression, insomnia, headaches and heartburn than if their boss is a man.

But for male workers, the sex of their manager makes no difference.

Scott Flander, writing in HR Executive Online, quotes experts as saying it may have to do with the fact that many women -- bosses and subordinates alike -- feel more vulnerable in their jobs than men do. And they say HR leaders need to work harder to change that.

My advice is generally gender neutral:

• Train your managers in the fundamentals of management and leadership;
• Conduct Employee Satisfaction Assessments;
• As a leader of your company, make sure to drive the concept to all employees of "Managing Up".

And become intimately involved in the relationships all of your managers have with their employees.