Workplace Stress

Loneliness, isolation, uncertainty, grief, and fear can all intensify stress and other mental health challenges, harming overall health. The type and level of stress people experience vary based on many factors, including conditions at work.

Many aspects of life can cause stress, and work is often one of them. Workplace stress and poor mental health can reduce job performance, productivity, and engagement with coworkers. Stress can also affect physical health, including increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, workplaces can play an important role in providing resources and support that promote mental health and well-being.

Work has long been a source of stress, and new workplace pressures continue to emerge, sometimes worsening existing challenges. More than 80% of U.S. workers report experiencing workplace stress, and over half say it affects their home life. Common workplace stressors include:

·       Worries about job security, such as possible layoffs or reduced hours.

·       Not having the tools or equipment needed to work safely.

·       Fear of retaliation from an employer.

·       Conflict with customers, patients, coworkers, supervisors, or employers.

·       Adjusting to a new workspace, schedule, or work rules.

·       Learning new tasks or taking on added responsibilities.

·       Working longer or more frequent shifts without enough breaks.

·       Physically demanding job duties.

·       Using new communication tools and dealing with technical issues.

·       Blurred work-life boundaries that make it difficult to disconnect.

·       Balancing work with caregiving responsibilities, including childcare, online schooling or caring for sick, elderly, or disabled household members.

·       Concerns about job performance and productivity.

·       Worries about the safety of commuting by public transit.

These and other work-related stressors can harm a person’s sense of well-being and negatively affect mental health. In some cases, they can contribute to or worsen serious conditions such as anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders.

Guidance and Tips for Employers

The goal is to reduce or remove workplace stressors whenever possible, strengthen coping and resilience, and make sure people know where to find help. Lowering workplace stress benefits the entire organization by improving morale, focus, productivity, physical health, and safety, while also reducing sick days and employee turnover.

Key actions employers can take include:

·       Be aware that each person may be carrying emotional strain shaped by their own circumstances, including loneliness, isolation, uncertainty, grief, stress, caregiving demands, or existing mental health or substance use challenges.

·       Identify barriers that make it harder for employees to do their jobs and determine whether reasonable adjustments can help.

·       Show empathy by reminding employees they are not alone, that their stress is understood, that feeling anxious is not shameful, and that asking for help matters. Employers can support this by creating a safe, trustworthy environment for discussing work-related stress.

·       Provide access to coping resources, resilience support, flexible work or leave options without penalty, and other helpful services or networks. Research from the American

Psychological Association indicates that 50% of employees say a lack of paid time off or sick leave increases stress at work.

Training Resources

Talking about stress and mental health at work can feel uncomfortable or overly personal. These are sensitive issues that often require trust, goodwill, or access to outside support and resources.

Even so, employers, supervisors, and coworkers can support one another, and training is available on many relevant topics. Ideally, employers should train supervisors and staff to recognize signs of stress, respond with empathy, listen effectively, support struggling coworkers, build coping skills, and understand when and how to seek professional help. Unions and worker organizations can also play an important role through member services, outreach, and community engagement.

There is no single solution to workplace stress. The best approach is to identify the stressors specific to a job or industry and take practical steps to reduce or eliminate them. Employers can also learn from effective strategies already being used by others and from expert guidance on addressing workplace stress.