Stenographers

Relatively few office stenographers work in the evenings or on weekends. (This is not true of court reporters, real-time captioners, or those who freelance their services, as they often work long and irregular hours.) Some stenographers take on part-time or temporary work during peak business periods.

The physical work environment is usually pleasant and comfortable, although stenographers may sometimes have to work under extreme deadline pressure. Stenographers may also be subject to repetitive stress injury, a prevalent industrial hazard for those who perform repeated motions in their daily work. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of repetitive stress injury that stenographers can sometimes develop, causing a prickling sensation or numbness in the hand and sometimes a partial loss of function. Stenographers generally perform their jobs while seated and so must be conscious of correct posture and proper seating.

The majority of stenographers are not required to travel; however, some may accompany their employers on business trips to provide dictation services.