ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > December > 08
Friday, December 8, 2006
Is work STRESSFUL or what?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In today’s world, stress is an everyday part of life. It is an unfortunate and an unavoidable consequence of the competitive society we live in.
We experience stress from an array of areas, but studies show that the highest and most damaging levels of stress is contributed to that stress which occurs at WORK. As workers are experiencing more and more demands on their time and energy, their perception that these demands exceed their capacity is the source of this stress.
The consequences of work related stress are apparent for both the individual and the business itself.
Individually, stress is correlated to heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, depression, job burnout and even back pain. In fact, 62% routinely find they end the day with WORK-related back pain.
These findings are important for businesses because the end result is increased turnover, low morale, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. In fact, it cost companies $300 billion dollars last year, or $7,500 per employee on stress related compensation claims, reduced productivity and absenteeism.
Healthcare expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress. Of the 80% of those workers who feel stress on the job, nearly half of them say they need help in learning how to manage stress.
It is crucial for us to develop methods of controlling stress at the workplace. Research has shown that the major contributing factors of WORK related stress are job insecurity, shift work, long work hours, role conflict, physical hazard exposures and interpersonal conflicts with coworkers or supervisors.
Research has also shown that the best way to deal with these stressors is to help individuals adapt by teaching better coping strategies. There are many different stress management programs available.
In my experience, many deal with the psychological areas of stress while largely ignoring the physical components of stress. In my opinion, the physical detriments of stress are as important, if not more important, not only to the individual but to the business bottom line.
In one of my corporate jobs, the corporation provided the services of a chiropractor who hosted health fairs dealing exclusively with stress by educating the employees on how to cope with stress. I have found this to be very effective and best of all, it was free!
Regardless of the method, it is integral for business owners, employers, managers and employees to find some method of coping with stress. If left untreated, stress will lower the productivity of any business and affect the bottom line. As a business coach, I have found addressing stress to be essential part of any successful organization.
What or who triggers your work stress? What do you do to cope with it? What has your company offered its employees to help reduce stress?
