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As the economy takes its sweet time about recovering, employees are feeling more stress on the job -- and employers are doing little to help deal with the problem. Those are the major findings of our Nov. 27 Reader Survey. Of the 700-plus readers who responded, 70% said they're feeling more stress on the job than usual, vs. 23% who said they're feeling the same level of stress as always.
Some 31% cited concerns over job security as the primary cause of increased stress, though 18% pinpointed their pace of work, and 12% blamed a confrontational work environment. Not surprisingly, given those responses, 56% think their job is less secure than it was a year ago.
Some 59% of those who participated said stress at work has affected their health, vs. 22% who said it hasn't. Some 27% cited depression as the primary result, while 17% blamed stress for the fact that they've gained weight, and 10% said their blood pressure has risen.
NO CLUE, NO HELP. Employers seem oblivious to these problems, judging by the perception of those who completed the survey. Some 61% said their employer doesn't understand the extent to which stress affects them on the job, and 67% said their employer offers no advice or training on ways to reduce stress (though 22% said their company does).
Some 25% of those who particpated -- nearly 80% of whom have either an undergraduate or advanced degree -- said they exercise more as a way to cope with stress, though others try a wide range of techniques, including taking days off, stepping away from their workstation at regular intervals, just concentrating on staying relaxed -- or working as hard as possible in hopes of making their job more secure.
Here are the full details of the survey, which as always is unscientific since anyone who wished to could participate:
Would you say that the amount of stress you feel at work these days is:
Option
Total
%
About the same as usual
164
22.62 %
Less than usual
37
5.10 %
More than usual
511
70.48 %
Not sure
13
1.79 %
What's the primary cause of stress you feel at work?
Option
Total
%
The type of work
78
10.73 %
The pace of the job
127
17.47 %
Your boss
65
8.94 %
Your co-workers
35
4.81 %
Confrontational/competitive work environment
88
12.1 %
Teamwork environment
23
3.16 %
Concerns about job security
225
30.95 %
Personal issues that spill over into work
48
6.60 %
Other
25
3.44 %
Not sure
13
1.79 %
Would you say that, compared with a year ago, your job is:
Option
Total
%
More secure
96
13.26 %
Less secure
402
55.52 %
As secure
179
24.72 %
Not sure
47
6.49 %
Has the stress you feel at work affected your health in any way?
Option
Total
%
No
155
21.44 %
Yes
425
58.78 %
Not sure
143
19.78 %
If workplace stress has affected your health, in what ways has it? (Choose all that apply)
Option
Total
%
Weight gain
135
17.13 %
Weight loss
30
3.81 %
High cholesterol
31
3.93 %
High blood pressure
79
10.03 %
Chronic minor illnesses
72
9.14 %
Depression
212
26.9 %
Marital/relationship strife
77
9.77 %
Substance abuse
28
3.55 %
Other
65
8.25 %
Workplace stress hasn't affected my health
59
7.49 %
Do you think that your employer understands the extent to which stress does -- or doesn't -- affect you on the job?
Option
Total
%
Yes
146
20.36 %
No
434
60.53 %
Don't know
137
19.11 %
Whether your company does or doesn't understand, does it offer advice or training in how to reduce stress?
Option
Total
%
Yes
164
22.71 %
No
486
67.31 %
Don't know
72
9.97 %
What are the best ways you've found to reduce stress at work? (Choose all that apply)
Option
Total
%
Exercise more
279
25.55 %
Concentrate on staying relaxed
151
13.83 %
Avoid overeating
64
5.86 %
Step away from your workstation at regular intervals
154
14.1 %
Take days off periodically
169
15.48 %
Tune out your boss or co-workers
77
7.05 %
Work as hard as possible to do well and make your job more secure
115
10.53 %
Psychotherapy
20
1.83 %
Join a substance abuse program
3
0.27 %
Other
36
3.30 %
I don't worry about stress at work
24
2.20 %
Are you a:
Option
Total
%
Man
551
76.32 %
Woman
171
23.68 %
Do you work for a:
Option
Total
%
Small company (fewer than 100 employees)
188
26.15 %
Big company (more than 100 employees)
531
73.85 %
How much education do you have?
Option
Total
%
High school degree
33
4.56 %
High school plus some college
109
15.06 %
Undergraduate degree
271
37.43 %
Graduate degree
311
42.96 %
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Copyright 2002, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
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