FACTS ABOUT WORKPLACE STRESS

We live in a stressful age. Stress not only comes from our jobs but from the constant change we face daily. Our fast-paced society, where change is constant and we rush from one place to another, has negative effects on our health and wellness. By exploring the way we live our lives and modifying our lifestyle, we can lessen the effects of stress and learn to channel stress in a positive manner.

The distress that we experience on a daily basis plays an important role in the development of disease (the word disease can be broken down to disease or not at ease). Many studies have indicated stress (change or conflict) in one's life to be a contributing factor in early death from ailments such as heart disease, strokes, cancer, liver disease, suicides, and accidents. Stress has also been shown to lower our immune response. In fact, stress on the job and job dissatisfaction are major factors in the use of sick time.

• The U.S.. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports stress related disorders as fast becoming the most prevalent reason for worker disability.
• International Survey Research Corporation in Chicago -did opinion poll-low morale due to loss of faith in employer -in 1988 22% of polled said that were "frequently worried" about losing their job- in 1996-46% said the same thing.
• 40% if worker turnover is due to job stress. Xerox estimates 1 to 1.5 million dollars to replace a top executive. For an average employee, about 2 to 13 k dollars per person.
• 1992 UN report called Job Stress "The 20th Century Epidemic"-- The World Health Organization called job stress a "World Wide Epidemic".
• Job Stress is estimated to cost American industry 200 to 300 billion dollars annually as assessed by absenteeism, diminished productivity, employee turnover, accidents, direct medical, legal, and insurance fees, workman's compensation awards, etc.
• US. Bureau of Labor Statistics -"neurotic reaction to stress" is the 4th disabling workplace injury. In 1993 over 25 days were lost on average by each person suffering job stress.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-25% of those surveyed said their job was the single greatest cause of stress in their life
• British Medical Journal- Feb. 22, 1997-Reuters-Feb 21, 1997 2 Studies-job stress may increase chances of coronary heart disease.  Job control and pressure were tested.
• Japan-"Karoshi" death from overwork-is recognized there as a fatal combination of apoplexy, high blood pressure, and stress.
• Job Stress can be both cause and effect of workplace violence and harassment.

Most organizations have no idea just how much employee stress costs them each year. A 1990 study by the Princeton, NJ, firm of Foster Higgins & Co. indicated that corporate health benefits cost the average company 45 percent of its after-tax profits. With research implicating stress in 60 percent to 90 percent of medical problems, companies cannot afford to ignore the huge health-care expense employee stress creates.

Stress is inevitable. Without some level of stress in our lives we would become bored and depressed. Because each of us is unique in our ability to cope with stress, finding a balance between our personality and the level of stress we face daily is the key to managing stress.

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