It also helps to eliminate known predictors of harmful strain, such as a lack of autonomy on the job, an unsupportive boss or co-workers, Dr. Nelson says.

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All things being equal, having a job increases a woman's autonomy.

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So compared to being, say, a Harvard professor, it's a job where you lose a lot of autonomy and you get a lot of stress in your life.

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Defined as freedom to make choices in the workplace and be accountable for them, autonomy may include on-the-job decision-making latitude, control over your work schedule or the freedom to elect how and where to work.

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But he also points to cultural differences that might impede Europe's growth even if those regulatory barriers are swept away: workers in Europe's big economies are less likely to regard the opportunity for innovation, autonomy and interesting work as vital components of a job.

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The two parties agreed to eliminate the budget deficit within one parliament, to give state schools much more autonomy and to redesign the welfare system so that taking a job almost always pays.

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