The study examines the psychological impact of employment and living circumstances of the women workers in Rathmalana, Katunayake, Biyagama, Koggala and Pallekele. In relation to their employment, high work pressure exacerbated somatic and depressive symptom levels, with lack of autonomy and role ambiguity affecting them to lesser extent. Apart from employment, their life circumstances living away from home, living conditions, community living, disruption to work and being the main family income provider were also found to precipitate various levels of psychological reactions.