The statistics around workplace stress are alarming. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that workplace stress causes 120,000 deaths each year. If you’ve experienced stress in the workplace, you are clearly not alone. A survey from 2019 – 2021 revealed that 65% of workers considered work to be a “very significant” or “somewhat significant” source of stress, 83% of workers suffer from work-related stress, and 54% report that it affects their home life. There is some good news, however. For every $1 spent on mental health concerns, employers see a $4 return in productivity gains. While this metric further underscores how workplace stress relates to work outcomes, it also tells us this problem can be improved.
What is Workplace Stress?
The CDC defines workplace stress as the “harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.” When job requirements are out of alignment with the needs and tools of a worker, it can lead to poor physical and mental health, increased stress, poor sleep, and employee burnout. Examples of workplace stressors include concerns about job security, finding time to work while juggling caregiving responsibilities at home for children or aging parents, physically demanding or dangerous work, and blurred boundaries of work and life, making disconnection and rejuvenation difficult.
How Does Workplace Stress Relate to Work? Outcomes?
Workplace stress leads to bad work outcomes for employees and companies. Employers should invest in reducing workplace stress for several reasons. A workplace that meets the needs of its employees will experience higher morale, fewer injuries or sick days, and better focus from employees. When job requirements are out of alignment, employee turnover – estimated to cost companies as much as 120% – 200% of the salary of each position affected – increases. Forty percent of employee turnover is attributed to stress. It was estimated in 2016 that U.S. businesses lost $30 billion a year in lost work days, and that number is likely to have increased over the past eight to ten years. This “Cost of Doing Nothing” infographic provides a strong, high-level visual for employers that depicts workplace stress related to work outcomes.
What Can You Do?
No matter your role at work, awareness of your workplace stress is key. You are not alone; if you are feeling stress, there is a good chance your colleagues are feeling it, too. Take steps to prioritize your mental and physical health at work, including seeking support from a supervisor. Not sure how to start a conversation with a supervisor? Here are a few tips:
- Schedule a time to meet with your supervisor as opposed to starting a conversation casually or in the moment.
- Prepare to discuss specific examples of things that are causing workplace stress and their impact on you.
- Bring some solutions or ideas to alleviate stress.
- Stay positive and collaborative in your approach as the goal is to find solutions, not have a venting or complaint session.
Finally, if you are in a managerial or leadership role, check out this guide from OSHA: Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace – Getting Started Guide for Front-Line Supervisors. Resources such as this can help you identify those around you who might be experiencing workplace stress and will help you come up with good questions to ask to start a conversation.
Support for Workplace Stress
Workplace stress and anxiety are among the top mental health issues affecting work outcomes in the United States, and their impact extends well beyond the workplace and into the personal lives of many. Parkdale Center focuses on supporting working professionals experiencing mental health disorders, and we are very familiar with the challenges of modern workplaces. Our compassionate, experienced treatment professionals offer several Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs (IOPs) and Virtual IOP via telehealth. Please reach out to us today to discuss how we can support you or a loved one facing workplace stress.