Published Paper Details:

Occupational stress has emerged as a critical concern within higher education institutions, particularly among women employees who navigate complex professional and socio-cultural expectations. This study investigates the nature, sources, and consequences of work-related stress and its effect on work performance among female teaching and non-teaching employees in higher education institutions located in rural and metropolitan settings. Using Wardha district as the rural context and Nagpur district as the metropolitan context, the study adopts a comparative and empirical research design. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering dimensions such as workload, role ambiguity, institutional support, work-life balance, psychological well-being, and coping mechanisms. Statistical tools including descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, and correlation analysis were applied. The findings reveal significant differences in stress levels and performance outcomes between rural and metropolitan institutions, with workload pressure and institutional support emerging as dominant predictors. The study contributes context-specific insights for gender-sensitive human resource policies in higher education.