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Reader Panel: Workplace stress |
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Written by Todd Phillips
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Monday, 03 December 2007 |
Stressed out workers face more risks of injury
COS reader panelists are stressed out. Are employers helping them out?
Workplace stress can be a silent killer. The short and long-term health impacts of prolonged exposure to high levels of workplace stress can be debilitating. COS reader panelists say they are stressed out and their colleagues seem even worse. What can workers and employers do to help lower workplace stress levels? These are the questions we sought to answer with this issue’s reader panel.
Among our reader panelists, 65 per cent say they feel they are now experiencing more workplace stress than before. They tell us that it’s factors such as job cutbacks, increased workloads, lack of control, insufficient resources and poor managers that are fueling unnecessarily high levels of workplace stress. Interestingly, some readers seem to strive on stress and say they need it to get motivated.
• Do you feel you, personally, are experiencing more or less workplace stress?
Yes, I am more stressed out at work (64.7 %)
No, I am less stressed out (19.6 %)
I’m not sure (5.9 %)
Other (9.8 %)
“My type of personality reacts positively to stress not negatively.”
“Stress levels seem pretty constant.”
“I am less stressed out because I quit a job because of the stress.”
“Regulatory requirements are being added, modified, changed and seem to fall into several areas of responsibilities. At times it is tough to decipher which department is responsible for complying with them, but when there is a violation a wide brush is used to point fingers at the allegedly responsible dept.”
“More work with less people and unreasonable expectations —some co-workers do absolutely nothing.”
“Workplace politics, extra work, and lack of control over my destiny due to budgetary constraints.”
“I always feel stress at work and elsewhere and I need to. I believe stress is what you make of it. I need stress to motivate me. If nothing is putting pressure on me to act I probably won't.”
“I limit the stress load by leaving work at work. I never eat lunch in my office and often go to a nearby park to just clear my head. The walk is good too.”
“Here in Alberta, it seems that the most important thing is to make as much money as possible before the boom ends — safety and quality of life are a distant second to the pursuit of money.”
“There is no program aimed at evaluating stress levels or solutions.”
• Do you feel your colleagues and co-workers in general are experiencing more or less workplace stress?
Yes, my co-workers appear more stressed out at work (76.5 %)
No, my co-workers appear less stressed out (7.8 %)
I’m not sure (7.8 %)
Other (7.8 %)
Reader panelists say that about 77 per cent of their colleagues appear more stressed, while only 7.8 per cent appear less stressed. So while readers seem stressed but are coping, they don’t think their co-workers are doing as well. Here are a few comments:
“Yes, I do see some co-workers who appear to be over-stressed. But I believe a lot of the problem is the over-use of the term. It seems any time there is pressure to get a job task done on time, within budget etc some will claim it creates stress — give me a break.”
“The fact that today’s workforce will be adversely affected by the retirement of the baby boomer generation and the lost of experience will only increase workplace stress.”
“Most of my co-workers have few skills to prioritize or delegate effectively which increases their workload and stress level. Too many of them think that only they can do their job properly.”
“Incidents of work related stress leave are increasing.”
• Do you think high levels of workplace stress directly lead to more accidents and injuries on the job?
Yes (84.3 %)
No (11.8 %)
I’m not sure (3.9 %)
Another finding worth thinking about is that 84.3 per cent of respondents say they believe that high levels of workplace stress are directly responsible for more accidents and injuries on the job. So, if we accept that between 65 per cent of our reader panelists and 77 per cent of their colleagues are experiencing higher stress levels, and that they believe this causes more accidents, then it suggests intervention to reduce stress levels and help employees cope better could help reduce injuries.
• Which statement do you believe best reflects the attitude of your company’s leaders towards workplace stress?
“We can provide a safe and fair work environment, but we can’t promise a stress-free workplace.” (42 %)
“Stress is part of the job, that’s why we all get paid, deal with it.” (24 %)
“It’s up to the individual to control his or her own stress.” (8 %)
“Workplace stress is a serious health and safety issue and we are taking all measures to deal with it appropriately.” (8 %)
“Stress? You want stress? Try doing my job and then let’s talk!” (8 %)
Other (10 %)
There were some interesting comments provided that help illustrate the range of ways people view workplace stress. For some, it’s part of the job, and there’s no use “crying” about it. For others, it’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Which statement above (or comments below) reflects the views of your company’s leaders?
“Quit crying and get back to work!”
“Stress is associated with everything we do. Some stressors can be positive reinforcement, additionally personal stress from situations outside the workplace will impact on how we truly handle workplace stress and its impact on our physical well being.”
“Stress can be a good thing. Bad stress is no good and should be dealt with by company management.”
“The workplace will never be stress free, however if employers and workers work together, be flexible and understanding the stress can be reduced.”
“Individuals handle stress in different ways, some more effectively than others therefore it is difficult to guarantee a stress free workplace.”
“There are no formal programs to deal with stress. In my company it’s not recognized and it does have an effect on peoples’ personal lives and relationships.”
“We do a good job on the safety, health and physical wellness front. Dealing with emotional wellness is another issue.”
• The CCOHS website cites a study that details a range of symptoms of workplace stress. Which of the following symptoms of stress have you experienced at one time or another during your working career? (please check all that apply)
• sleep disturbances (94.1%)
• over reaction to minor events (58.8 %)
• emotional fatigue (52.9 %)
• chronic fatigue (51.0 %)
• lowered self-esteem / self confidence (47.1%)
• depression (43.1 %)
• more frequent headaches / colds (43.1 %)
• other related medical problems (33.3%)
• carelessness / forgetfulness (33.3%)
• uncontrolled anger or rage (29.4 %)
• restlessness (29.4 %)
• intense anxiety (27.4 %)
• leave of absence / stress leave (23.5 %)
• increased use of alcohol / smoking / drugs (23.5 %)
• marital problems (17.5%)
• loss of sex drive (15.7 %)
• ulcers (15.7 %)
• heart conditions (11.8 %)
• suicidal or homicidal thoughts (7.8 %)
• paranoia (7.8 %)
• frequent accidents (2 %)
Other (2 %)
“My type of personality is capable of handling stress no matter its source.”
“I am very near retirement and this year, for the first time in my life I was off work for five weeks due to stress. I made the decision to retire two years early and will be done at the end of the year.”
“Who hasn’t experienced at least some of these?”
“Thirteen years ago I experienced a life threatening stress related illness. I have learned to let go and only do what I can realistically accomplish which doesn't mean I don't have goals but I recognize I am not superman.”
“Stress brought on by cycles in the business or by short term problems are expected. Stress brought on by lack of resources or mean spirited managers, supervisors, or employees are not acceptable.”
• Does your company have an employee assistance program (EAP)?
Yes (76.5 %)
No (23.5 %)
• If your company has an EAP program, would you feel comfortable discussing workplace stress?
Yes (54.9 %)
No (33.3 %)
Not sure (7.8 %)
Other (3.9 %)
“Are you nuts? They may not track by name but do track by location. An increase in calls from a location prompts investigation that usually results in someone being disciplined/terminated.”
“I’ve seen what happens to others.”
“That is what made me come to the realization that the best thing for me to do was to retire.”
“The councilor in the position is not qualified to be there.”
“The service provider is a phone service and referral. Who wants to discuss their personal problems over the phone?”
“I believe that if the company found out about someone talking to the EAP, any thoughts of promotion is ended.”
“When discussed, the psychologist suggested that working for my company was too stressful for anyone.”
“Our EAP is useless as they just do lip service.”
“I have used our EAP to help me get over some tough personal problems in the last few years. Problems that I feel developed due to the constant change.”
• What do you think workers and employers can do to help reduce the levels of stress in the workplace?
“Employers should ensure that they teach their employees different methodologies to deal with stress. Give them some tools, and they may use them!”
“Research worker wellness incentives, subsidize fitness memberships, have a good social committee that organizes monthly events for staff to get together and interact, employee appreciation programs, mentoring, re-orientation, flex-time work hours, etc.”
“Identify the effects workplace stress has on safe work practices and production. Education about how workplace stress effects overall health and ability to perform daily tasks.”
“Treat people like the valuable resource they are and remember we all have lives this is work not our life or family.”
“Management needs to be aware of workplace stress and provide the support to workers to ensure that they can get their work completed when under stress.”
“I have been wrestling with this for a few years now and have come to the conclusion that as long as companies are owned by large multinational investment firms and do not understand that human interaction is necessary to do the jobs that must get done the stress will continue. I am starting to understand the attitude of kids coming into the workforce: “What’s in it for me?’”
“Treat your co-workers the way that you would like to be treated. Always stay positive, do not hang around with the negative ones, they will bring you down too! Surround yourself with the ‘glass is half full’ people.”
“Giving too much direction in an indvidual’s job can create unhealthy levels of stress for an employee as can too little direction.”
“Understand the needs of others, especially over-achievers and learn to recognize stress symptoms and then intervene in a positive way to help.”
“Set realistic goals / performance standards. Do not expect people to put in extended hours just to get the job done.”
“Change employers.”
“Both sides need to follow the golden rule: Treat others as you would have them treat you. As a manager, I need to be fair with my employees, to look out for their best, and treat them like I would want my own kids treated.”
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