What to Do About Job Stress

Over 80 percent of Americans complain that their jobs are stressful, according to a National Survey conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services. What's more alarming is the fact that these statistics have steadily increased over the past few decades.

The effect of stress in the American workplace has caused many employees to seek medical care for symptoms of stress, including back and neck pain, headaches, sleeplessness and anxiety. In addition, most Americans admit to calling in sick at least once due to stress; a fact that costs billions of dollars each year. Even more disturbing is the fact that the increase in stress in the workplace mirrors an increase in violence in the working environment as well.

According to the DHHS, stress in the workplace has led to a double-digit increase in workman's compensation claims which have actually bankrupted the system in several states.

Stress in the workplace is caused by a variety of factors. We're often told about certain occupations that are more stressful than others. But recent studies indicate that it is no so much the stress of the actual occupation that causes the problem; other factors come in to the equation.

One of the leading causes of stress in the workplace, according to workers who participated in the study, is the uncertainty of their employment. With more companies downsizing and outsourcing, today's workers no longer have the assurance of working for a company that will "take care of them." The notion of "job security" is a thing of the past. Studies indicate that over 50 percent of Americans are concerned about losing their jobs.