High Stress, High Cost
According to a report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, one in four workers say their job is their No. 1 source of stress.
Causes
Many factors can trigger job stress:
- Long and heavy workloads
- Insufficient breaks and downtime
- Inadequate skills and training
- Shortage of time and resources
- Boredom and a feeling of being underutilized or unappreciated
- Interpersonal conflicts with co-workers and/or bosses
- Unpleasant and dangerous physical conditions
- Fears about job security
Consequences
Whatever the cause, stress that builds and lingers over time causes physical and mental breakdown and fatigue. Initially, workers may become irritable, experience mood swings and headaches, have trouble sleeping and relating to friends and family members. Over time, elevated stress can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Stressed workers also jeopardize job site safety.
Cost
Job stress has a high price tag in America: An estimated $300 billion is lost annually, factoring in increased absenteeism, employee turnover, workplace injuries and related medical, legal and insurance costs.