The author, presenting the attitude of women to work in the GDR, proves a hypothesis that work for women is more of a life need than a condition of existence. Comparing the attitude to work and to problems connected with it of women and men she finds confirmation for deep transformations which have been effected and are taking place in the GDR’s society. The second part of the article deals with the problem of the place held by the family life and duties ensuing from it in the life of women against the background of attitude to work. The author points out that majority of women in the German Democratic Republic place on the same level professional tasks and family duties. Since — as it was confirmed by studies — women perform less complex functions, their integration with the enterprise is slower, which exerts some impact on the analyzed participation of women in the rationalization movement, involvement with production problems, and interest in improvement of professional qualifications. Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę.