Stress On The Job: Stress At Work Is Skyrocketing

Most of us need a regular job to pay our mortgage, car payments, and pay for general household expenses.  Unfortunately, jobs are major stressors in our life.  Studies have shown that our job is the number one cause of stress for 80% of Americans.

The numbers regarding job stress are staggering.  Over 40 percent of workers say their job is stressful or extremely stressful.  Most of that 40 percent state their job is the leading factor for stress in their life.  Almost everyone believes that workers have more stress than they did just a generation ago.

When workers were questioned on being burned-out or stressed out, 26 percent state they are burned-out with their job.  Job stress is strongly related to health complaints, family problems, and financial worries.  If you don’t feel your job is safe, it makes for even more stress.  Over one quarter of workers surveyed said they experienced “extreme” stress on their job.

More statistics reported from a Gallup poll state 14 percent of workers polled stated they felt like hitting or attacking a co-worker.  Another 25 percent felt like screaming or shouting while on the job and 10 percent reported feeling fear about a fellow employee they believe could be violent.  Workers who reported knowing of an assault or violent act at their job site were 9 percent, and whopping 18 percent states they have been verbally intimidated or had someone threaten them in the previous year.

Job stress is caused by high expectations of employers, the push for more productivity in fewer hours, and corporate stress.  Worrying about their job security caused tension levels to rise and the many businesses that are in financial problems cause worry to millions of Americans.

Violence has been an increasingly serious problem in the workplace.  The news regularly reports a disgruntled worker taking a weapon to work and attacking their co-workers.  Even secure buildings are not normally as secure as they should be.  I worked in a secure building for nine years and I can’t tell you how many times we found unauthorized people in the building.  One woman found a man on his knees pleading for a different answer than she had given him.  Scary situation indeed!

Americans are working harder and for longer hours.  Competition for positions and raises mean that many Americans are working nearly 47-49 hours a week.  Management is placing more demands on employees, and company orders are placing more demands on management.

Absenteeism because of job stress has skyrocketed.  The work days missed is largely because of stress related emotional and physical symptoms.  Many employees are asking their company for stress management help.  One large company reports that 60 percent of their company’s absentee rate could be traced to stress on the job.  This causes extra expense for companies, lost productivity, and worker dissatisfaction.
Employers are having success by implementing stress reduction programs, time management training, and rooms where employees can either rest or get some physical exercise.  Employees who had the support and understanding of management also experienced less stress on the job.