More Employees Stressed in 2003

Approximately 63 percent of employees in the workforce can be characterized as “highly stressed”, according to a recent survey conducted by the HR management consulting firm ComPsych. The figure represents a 15 percent jump from a similar survey conducted in early 2003. Experts blame increased work tempo from the strengthening economy. “The recovery has brought more work, yet there are few new hires and fewer pay raises. Employees seem to be at a boiling point,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, chairman and CEO of ComPsych . Far from being a positive indicator of progress, however, Chaifetz warns that an overworked workforce might undermine the economy.

“While a certain amount of stress can spur productivity, the levels employees are dealing with now are counterproductive,” he says. “What we are seeing is a workplace situation that is incongruent with the economic rebound.” Other findings in the recent survey include:

Only 32 percent of employees have manageable stress levels.

42 percent of workers blame a heavy workload for stress while 20 percent say people issues are to blame.

A third of workers miss between three to six workdays a year due to stress while 43 percent surrender an hour of productivity daily dealing with stress.

The study was conducted in September of this year. More than 700 employees were surveyed. For more information, visit: http://www.compsych.com/