Majority of US Employees Experience Work-Related Stress
Stressed out about your job? You’re not alone. A new survey of US employees finds nearly three-quarters of them experience at least one of a variety of workplace-related worries.
Low wages were the most common gripe in the 2012 Work Stress Survey, with 11 percent of respondents saying meager paychecks were their top stressor.
Annoying colleagues came in next, followed by commuting and being overworked, while toiling away in a job outside their chosen careers rounded out the top five complaints.
The good news is that the number of employees who fear being fired or laid off is less than half of what it was last year. In addition, more people now say nothing stresses them out about their jobs — that number currently stands at 26 percent, up five points from the 2011 survey.
Still, survey spokesman John Swartz said workplace stress is a real concern that needs to be addressed, adding, “Anxiety among employees reduces productivity, lessens job satisfaction, lowers morale and has a negative impact on health. Workplace stress costs US employers billions, and it’s critical that both employers and employees take action to reduce this epidemic.”