Job Stress

Stress can be found in virtually every aspect of life. Yet for many, stress seems to be associated with the workplace.

It is estimated that job stress costs American business over $200 billion annually in reduced productivity, increased absenteeism and rising medical and insurance costs.

While certain jobs are viewed as inherently stressful (for example, air traffic controller), it is not so much the job itself that induces stress but a poor fit of the person with the job. Many people in so-called "high pressure" jobs actually thrive on the pace and the action. In fact, a slower repetitious job could very likely cause much greater stress.

Some Causes of Job Stress

• Workers given great responsibility and high accountability with little authority to meet the task
• Longer work hours, longer commutes and reduced leisure time
• Information overload - computers, fax machines, cellular phones, call-waiting, beepers, overnight deliveries, etc.
  
• Reduced human interaction due to increased automation
• Unpleasant physical conditions such as smoke, noise or crowding
• Incompatibility with co-workers because of differences in goals or values
• Prejudice or harassment
• Lack of satisfaction when the finished product is never seen (unlike craftsman and farmers of earlier generations)