Stress At Work Is Risky Business

One-third of U.S. workers say they're stressed out by the demands of today's fast-paced work environments.

Job stress is a serious threat to employees’ health and productivity. So says the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in a recent report, “Stress ... At Work.” The report highlights a series of surveys showing that about one-third of U.S. workers find their jobs to be extremely stressful.
“The statistics about the prevalence and costs of work stress are compelling,” says NIOSH Director Linda Rosenstock.

Among the findings: “One-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives,” and “problems at work are more strongly associated with health complaints than any other life stressor,” according to NIOSH.

NIOSH defines job stress as the harmful and emotional response that occurs when the requirements of a job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker.

TAXING TIMES. Veteran tax assessor Sheldon “Skip” Brown believes that the severe migraine headaches he has suffered for years stem from long, hard hours during peak periods at the Department of Tax and Revenue Financing in the nation’s capital. For the past 11 years, Brown, who is president of AFSCME Local 2776 (Council 20), has had to work under the added pressure of statutory deadlines. “The sheer volume of citizens paying their taxes is especially hectic right before the yearly April 15th cutoff,” he says. “I’ve had headaches so bad, I’ve had to take time off from work to rest.”

Brown says he is also worried about job security since 168 workers were arbitrarily laid off two years ago by Anthony Williams, then chief financial officer of the District of Columbia control board and now mayor.

More recently Williams said he would get rid of city employees who are not productive. “Not only do I have to keep on my toes in my work, I’ve got to watch my back as well,” he says.

MIXED FINDINGS. Medical laboratory technician Patricia Redemann examines specimens for sexually transmitted diseases. Her findings are double-checked by a laboratory in Louisville, Kentucky.

Any errors she makes show up in monthly quality assurance reports. “Mistakes have a ripple effect,” says Redemann, an AFSCME Local 2629 (Council 988) steward. “The epidemiologist gets upset, the nurse has to recall and retest patients, patients get agitated in the process.... Then I take the weight of it even when it’s not my fault.”

Other stressors on NIOSH’s list are lack of support from co-workers and supervisors, poor social environments and infrequent rest breaks.

OFF THE HOOK. Customer service representative Gloria Jordan also believes that her job in the Columbus, Ohio, Public Utilities Department is highly stressful.

Jordan and 35 other CSRs are on the phone constantly and under pressure to comply with policy standards. They must answer each call within three rings and complete that call as quickly as possible.

“It’s really frustrating having to calm down angry residents who complain about their high water bills,” says Jordan, an AFSCME Local 1632 (Council 8) steward and recording secretary.

Jordan shifts into overdrive whenever a major crisis, such as a water main break, occurs. “It’s high-gear stress for me with the phones ringing off the hook,” she points out. “But I try not to take these calls personally,” Jordan says — a tip she learned in stress management classes.

EAPs — YES! Jordan has taken advantage of stress management training offered through the city’s Employee Assistance Program. In the early 80s, the union and city officials established the EAP program.

Employees receive four hours of training to identify personal stressors and the tools for eliminating and/or controlling these stressors.

“Our mission is to promote healthy behavior, healthy lifestyles and optimum job performance through stress management training to all city employees and their families,” says EAP Director Lisa Callander. She explains that the training is offered periodically upon request.

Many contracts negotiated by AFSCME contain language on EAPs, which provide individual counseling for both work and personal problems as well as referral services.

UNLIMITED CHOICES. Laura Bush-Collins is a job stress consultant with Job Stress Help, an on-line firm (www.jobstresshelp.com). She says people who often experience stress at work view their options as limited. For example, some people take the view that their only option is to ride out their current job until they relocate or retire. In this case, she notes, it is important to find activities outside of work that can relieve stress.

“Some might take a class, others might initiate an exercise routine or find rewarding volunteer work.... People must always be mindful that while our work life is often a large part of our identity, we can find self-fulfillment and value in non-work activities,” she says.

Bush-Collins advises people to seek professional help when necessary. “Take that step and speak with someone. Give yourself the time and consideration you deserve.”

The NIOSH study recommends the use of EAPs, but also suggests trying practical approaches such as forming employee/employer working groups to prevent stress.

QWLs CAN SPELL RELIEF. AFSCME locals around the country have developed labor/management Quality of Work Life programs that provide stress management workshops or training seminars.

More recently, AFSCME Michigan Local 2435 (Council 25) and St. John’s Detroit Riverview Hospital administrators established their first labor/management QWL program to deal with stress and other workplace issues on behalf of 300 health care workers.

The process includes training for union stewards and front-line supervisors to work out their differences and to assist employees with improving morale through stress management seminars.

“With the ever-present threat of downsizing, there’s way too much anxiety and low morale among the workers,” says Local President Eugene Purry. “We’re hopeful that the program will lead toward a better environment and working conditions for everyone at St. John’s Riverview.”

NOT ALL BAD. Individual and situational factors must be taken into consideration to reduce the effects of stressful working conditions, NIOSH says. What is stressful for one worker may not be for another.

NIOSH advises workers to balance their work, family and personal lives, network with friends and family and develop a relaxed and positive outlook.

NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related illness and injury.

More information about job stress can be found on the public health agency’s internet page (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/jobstres.html) or call 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-346-4674).

By Venida RaMar Marshall

Related stories:

• Take our online Stress Measurement Test
• Yoga for Stress Management
• Job Conditions That May Lead to Stress
• Taking "One Minute" Time Outs