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Workplace Stress

Numerous studies showjob stress isamajorstressorfor American adults andit has escalated progressivelyduringthe past few decades. Increased levels of job stress(perceived ashavinglots of demandsbut little control)have beenassociated with increased rates of heart attack, hypertension, and other disorders. In New York, Los Angeles,and otherlarge cities,the relationship between job stress and heart attacks is so well acknowledgedthat any police officer who suffers a coronary event on or off the job is assumed to have a work-related injury and is compensated accordingly.

Stress is a highly personalized phenomenon and can vary widely even in identical situations.One survey showed that having to complete paperwork was more stressful for many police officers than the dangers associated with pursuing criminals. The severity of job stress depends on the magnitude of the demandsandthe individual’s sense of control or decision-making latitudein dealing with them. Scientific studies based on this model confirm that workers who perceive they are subjected to high demands but have little control are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Empathetic management practices can encourage communication and compassion amongst teams and create a safe environment for employees to be transparent about their mental health and stress levels. This positive environment can combat stress and prevent burnout.

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This 8-question assessmentisa valuable starting point to gaugeyourstress levels in the workplace.Takethisproactive steptowardmanaging your stresseffectively,andprevent stress from controlling your life.

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of US workers say they suffer from daily work-related stress
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of US workers say that workplace stress affects their personal relationships
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of US workers are not engaged at work, leading to loss of productivity
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of US workers say that workload is the main cause of their stress
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Burnout in the Workplace

Workplace stress is likely to be an issue for all professionals at some stage in their careers. No matter your industry orexperience,all professionals need to practicemanaging stressforsuccess and happiness in and out of work.

Poorly managedworkplace stress can cause workers to experience burnout, a phenomenon we’ve all become more familiarwithsincethe coronavirus pandemic.

Workplace stress testsus all, especially in achieving a work-life balance. According to research from Indeed,52% of employees feel burnout,andit’s never been more important to understand how it can impact our lives.In2020,onlinesearchesfor“signs of burnout”increased by 24%compared to the previous year.The good news isthere aremanywaysemployers and employees can reduce the probability of experiencing burnout. From self-care to evolving company cultures, the future of work doesn’t have toincludeburnoutascommonplace.

In the age of multiple screens and constant communication, learning how to spot the warning signs of burnout and prioritizing your mental health isessentialtoasustainablecareer.In this guide,we explore what burnout looks and feels like, how to avoid it, and how to progress in your career without compromising yourself.

Weallunderstand burnout in the context of workplace stress—putting in longer hours,meetingimportant deadlines,etc.Research by Mental Health America andFlexJobsshows that 76% of respondents agreed that workplace stress affects their mental health,andtheyhave experienced burnout.

Historically, the work culture in most companies is centered around productivity. And this is because businesses, by nature, are driven by profit, which is achieved by operating at maximum output. This often translates toproductivitycomingfirst, and inevitably, the needs of peoplecomingsecond.

Thisenvironmentis ripe forburnoutbecause prioritizing profits and results becomesaworkculturenorm.Andworse, employees may be afraid tovoiceconcerns abouttheirmental healthbecauseitcouldreflectnegatively ontheirperformance.

Tips for Promoting Employee Well-Being & Mental Health in the Workplace

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Burned-out worker in a Hard Hat

A work culture that normalizes long working hours and neglects mental health is much more likely to see staff experience burnout.

Burned-out man at his desk

The Cost of Stress

Besides the toll ona person’shealth, stresscosts businesses(andthe economy)billions of dollars inabsenteeism,decreasedproductivity,lower output, employeeturnover,healthcare costs.Becauseworkplacestressis inevitable, providing stress management toolscanmitigatestress andloweritscosts to the businessover time.

  • Depression and anxiety cost the global economy approximately $1 trillion in lost productivity.
  • An estimated 1 million workers are absent every day because of stress.
  • Job stress is estimated to cost the US industry more than $300 billion in losses due to absenteeism, diminished productivity, and accidents.
  • Over 5 work hours are lost weekly to employees thinking about their stressors.
  • Work-related stress costs the United States $190 billion in annual healthcare costs.

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In this course you will learn behaviors, coping strategies and mindsets that lead to increased resilience against the negative impacts of stress.

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