A costly epidemic - workplace stress!

byKenPe

1.5K followers

8 years ago

Occupational stress has been described as "global epidemic" by the United
Nations International Labor Union.

Workplace stress costs U. S. Employers an estimated $200 Billion per year in such areas as: absenteeism, lower productivity, workers compensation and
other stress related expenses. In view of these findings, stress management
may be business's most important challenge in the 21st Century!

Although there are other areas where stress comes into play, such as:
marriage, divorce or buying a house, many of the more stressful events occur in the workplace. Examples are: firings, business readjustments (downsizing)
altered responsibilities, trouble with the boss, variations in workplace hours
or conditions, retirements and vacations.

The natural pattern of human behavior is to experience, react to it with
increased tension and then return to a normal, relaxed state. Problems occur
when this pattern is broken.

When the United States is compared to developing countries, the stress level
is lower in the developing countries due to their value system that family and
nation is more important than possessions and money earned. Therefore, they are able to manage more stress.

Workload is the greatest cause of stress. Employees work more today than they did 25 years ago - - almost one extra month's work - so, that means a
13 month year. It is then, no wonder stress is so prevalent in the workplace!
With staff's being DOWNSIZED, but the work remains, so workloads are being
UP-SIZED, according to Joel Harmon, at Florham-Madison Campus.

The results of the stress factors in the workplace are ALARMING as we are continually reminded by reports of incidents happening on a regular basis
each day.

Attacks at businesses, convenience stores and government office are prime
examples. Other such passive-aggressive behavior is demonstrated by
employees withholding resources, not responding to telephone calls and
memos, and being late for meetings. 60% of lost workdays each year can be attributed to STRESS! The Wall Street Journal found during a survey that
ONE THIRD of people surveyed considering quitting their job because of
STRESS and 14% DID!

To counteract these problems caused by STRESS, Managers are being held
responsible for their employees' work-family needs by providing information
on programs available to assist with these problem areas. Some companies
also provide employees with health clubs and cafeterias that provide a
healthy choice of meals.

In addition, companies are recognizing the need for employees to have
sharper skills in communication. This has been found to be a great way to
reduce STRESS, as it instills confidence that they will be able to communicate
their needs and wants to management personnel. When this level of
confidence is reached, it enhances their capability to give POSITIVE and
NEGATIVE feedback. Accordingly, the employee is comfortable when having
to be ASSERTIVE, when necessary.

Here are the Quotes of the Day - - - - - - - - - - -

"Stress is the result of not being able to solve problems quickly". -flickr.com

"Life is not a matter of having good cards, but of playing a poor hand well."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

"Some people are like a drug. They make you feel good, but they also give
you side effects like heartburn, watery eyes, and stress." -Sonya Parker

"Be someone that brings out the best in you not the stress in you ......."
-unknown quotes

"Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness."
-Richard Carlson

"Stressed at work? Remember: A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door."
-quotesgram.com

"Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much
to do. It comes from not finishing what we started." -David Allen

In summary, as the "Workplace Stress" has reached this extreme level,
I feel compelled to list a few examples of these "Warning Signs" under specific
categories:

Physical = Headaches - Fatigue - Increased Drug, Alcohol, Tobacco use
Emotional = Frustration - Depression - Worrying
Spiritual = Feelings of emptiness - Need to "Prove" Self - Unforgiving
Mental = Poor Concentration - Negative Attitude - Confusion
Relational = Isolation/Loneliness - Lack of Intimacy - Distrust

As members of society and following the guidelines at WA, it would seem to me that in order to "help" others, we should show due diligence in watching for
warning signs. Just like we all wish for a members success, we should wish
for their well-being, as well. Having said that, I will leave the decision up to YOU to determine if the author of this post requires treatment for any of the
conditions listed above!!

Until next time..............................................................