ERGONOMICS AND WOMEN'S WORK IN THE CITY OF TORONTO: A CASE STUDY OF CASHIERS A thesis subrnitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in partial eentof the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Graduate Programme in Geography York University North York, Ontario Nationai Library Bibliothèque nationale du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibiiographic Services seMces bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. nie Wellington Oiîawa ON K1A ON4 CMtawaON K1AW Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Libmy of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/nlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Ergonornia and Womenfs Work in the GTA: A Case Stud/ of Cashiers a thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of York University in partial fulfillment of the requirernents for the degree of MASER OF ARTS O 1998 Permission has been granted to the LISRARY OF YORK UNI- VERSITY to lend or seIl copies of this thesis, to the NATIONAL LIBRARY OF CANADA to microfilm this thesis and to lend or seIl copies of the film, and to UNIVERSITY MICROFILMS to publish an abstract of this thesis. The author reserves other publication rights. and neither the thesis nor extensive extracts from it may be pnnted or other- wise reproduced without the author's written permission. To reduce labour costs, the retail sector has replaced full-time workers with part-time employees, adopted electronic technology, and reorganized xhedules and tasks. These transformations of the labour process have increases the threat of ergonomic problerns. The increasing Pace of work combined with the physical demands of the new technology all place workers at greater risk of injury. This study examines how changing working conditions are Linked to ferninization of the retd workforce. Information from questionnaires completed by cashiers in Toronto grocery stores and from semi-structured interviews with store managers are used to explore the social composition of the workforce, workers' and managers' awareness of ergonornic issues, and hiring practices. The majoriv of cashiers are voung women under the age of 25, many of whom still live with their parents. AIthough many cashiers suffer from musculoskeletal problerns, partidarly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back, most are not aware of ergonomic Nks. They view their jobs as convenient, temporary employment. Managers reinforce these views by recnilting informdy and through their preferences for a young fernale workforce that is easv to train and less likely to suffer injuries. Young women emerge as the ideal flexible workforce, adaptable and trainable workers willing to work for low wages as needed. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the support, assistance, and participation of many people. First and foremost, 1 would like to thank my family for their support and encouragement throughout my life. My parents have alwavs encouraged me to follow my dreams and achieve my goals. My brother taught me that anything cmbe achieved through perseverance and dedication. Thank vou for instilling in me the confidence to reach for the stars. Family is so very important, and 1 am proud to be apart of mine. I am extremelv grateful for the continued support, direction and motivation from my supervisor, Dr. Vaierie Preston. She taught me to link concepts, theories and approaches that seemed complex and perplexing. Her patience and understanding is admirable. 1 could not have asked for a better supervisor. 1 would also like to thank my cornmittee- Dr. Glen Norcliffe, Dr. Judy Fudge, and Dr. Gerry WaIker who provided valuable comments for improving this thesis. 1 wodd like to express my gratitude to Cathie Leahy at No Frills headoffice who provided me access to the stores in the study. With out her this study codd not have been possible and would not even exiçt. Moreover, 1 wodd like to thank the mangers who ailowed me access to their stores and the cashiers who agreed to participate in this study. Thanks also goes out to my fellow colleagues and faculty and st& at York Universitv. Thankç for making my theat York University a mernorable one. 1 would like to thank aU those people - hiends, fellow employees, relatives- who have emotionallv or hancially supported me throughout the years. You have aiI played a part in helping me achieve my goals, and so 1 thank you. Fuidv, 1 would like to offer my appreciation to my boyfiend, JoeC. Tassone who encouraged me to focus when 1 ran out of steam. Thanks for betieving in me. The companionship you have provided has certainly helped ease the stress and lighten the load. LIST OF TABLES Table 3.1: Place of Residence of Cashers Table 3.2: Cashier Job Search In Metropolitan Toronto Table 3.3: Modes Of Trançportation To Work In Metropolitan Toronto By Cashiers Table 3.4: Length Of Employment Of Cashiers At Each No Frills Grocery Store Table 3.5: Part-Time Versus Fdl-Time Employment Of Cashers In Each No Frills Grocery Store Table 3.6: Ages Of Cashiers In Each No Frills Grocery Store Table 3.7: Educational Attainments Of Cashiers In No Frill Stores Table 3.8: Cashiers With Children In No Frills Stores Table 3.9: Ethnic Origin Of Cashiers In No Frills Grocery Stores TabIe 3.10: Ethnic Ongin In Census Areas, 2991 Table 3.11: Share Of Part-time Employment In Retail Trade By Age And Sex, Ontario, 1988 Table 4.1: Musculoskeletd Troubles In The Past Year By Store And By Body Part For Cashiers With More Than One Year Employment. Table 4.2: Length Of Employrnent And Musculoskeletal Troubles In The Neck, Lower Back, Shoulders And Hand/ Wrist area. Table: 43A: Cashier Working Conditions Table: 4.3B: Cashier Working Conditions And Fatigue Table: 4.K: Cashier Working Conditions And The Checkstand Table:4.4: The relationship Between Muçculoskeletal Troubles And Work Attitude For AU Cashiers With One Or More Years Experience Who Had Troubles In The Past 12 Months Table: 4.5: Work Attitudes Of Central And Suburban Cashiers Table: 4.6: Cashier Concerns Over A Repetitive Environment In Central And Suburban Stores Table 4.7: Communication, Work And Training Attitudes Of Central And Suburban Cashiers Table 4.8: Cashier's Open-Ended Responses To Thek Working Conditions In Each Store vii FIGURES AND PLATES Figure 2.1 : Conceptual Frarnework Figure 3.1: Locations Of Grocev Stores And urban Forward Sortation Areas Figure 4.1 : Musculoskeletal Symptoms By Length Of Employment Figure 4.2: Work Activities Of Cashiers In Central And Suburban Stores Figure 4.3: Hours Worked By Cashiers In Central And Suburban Stores PIate 4.1: Too Iow A workstation Forces Stooping And Hunching Of The Shoulders PIate 4.2: Fixed height Bag Rack Forces Excessive Bending Depending On Height Of Cashier PIate 4.3: Twisting Or Bending The Body To Lift Products Plate 4.4: Leaning Or Bending The Body To Move koducts Plate 4.5: Twisting Or Bending The Body To Lift Products Plate 4.6: Leaning Or Bending The Body To Move Products Plate 4.7: Cramped Work Area Forces Awkward Body Positions, Twisting And Bending Plate 8.8: Head And Neck Twisted Or Bent While Moving Items Along The Counter TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract iv Acknowledgments v List of Tables vii --* List of Figures and Plates Vlll 1 Ergonomies and Work in nie City of Toronto 1.O Introduction CHAITER 2: An Exploration of Restructuring The Retail Grocery workforce and Ergonomics 20 Introduction 2.1 Restructuring and Retail Grocery 2.1 -1 Economic Restndchnng 2.1.2 Refml GroqMarket Segmentation rmd Franchises 2.2 Ernerging Trends in Work and Workforces 221 Women min Retd Gmcery 2.3 Ergonomie Issues 23.1 Technology, Retnil Grocmy GzsItiers, and Erganomtcs 2.3.2 TRylorism and Ergonomics 24 Conceptual Framework and Research Questions 24.1 TIIp Local Lnborlr Mmket md Lrbuur Mmket Segmentation 2.5 Conclusions CHAPTER 3: Fieldwork Methodology 3.0 Introduction 3.1 The Studv Area 3 -2The Questionnaire/ Survey and Interview Process 3.2.1 Disfnbzition and Collection of Questionnaire/ S~<n?aj 3.2.2 Annlysis of Questionnaire/ Summj 3.2.3 Tite Intenriew Process 3.3 The Geographical Distribution of Labour Supply 3.3.7 Dmogrnphic chnrncteristics of cashiers 3.4 The Retail Workforce in Ontario 3.4.1 77re Retd Grocey Workforce 3.5 Surnmary and Conclusiom CHAPTER 4 :Musculoskeletd Health Workers' Attitude And Behaviour 4.0 Introduction 4.1 Musculoskeletal Health 4.1.1 Musculoskeletal Troubles Preventing Work 4.2 Causes of Musculoskeletal Health Problerns 4.2.1 job nnd Workplnce Design 4.2.2 Prezm tion 4.3 Working Conditions 4.4 Attitudes to Work 4.5 Cashier Responses 1.6 Summary and Conclusions CHAITER 5: Employer Practices, Local Labour Markets, Ergonornic Awareness And Its Impact On Cashiers 5.0 Introduction 5.1 The Interview Process 5.1.1 Tlre Mnnngement 5.2 Employer's Recniiûnent Stra tegies 5.2.1 Local Labour Markets and Remihnent 5.2.2 The Gender Division of hbozir 5.3 Ergonomies, Heath and Safety 5.3.1 Technology 53.2 Training 5.3.3 Union In.r~olvment 5.5 Summary and ConcIusions CHAPTER 6: Summary And Concluding Remarks 6.0 Conclusions 6.1 Interpretation of Findings 6.2 Recommendations Appendix A Appendix B References CHmR1: ERGONOMICS AND WOMEN'S WORK IN THE CITY OF TORONTO 1.0 Introduction Repetitive jobs causing Muscuioskeletai disorders have a long history'.