The Toll of Workplace Stress
- Frank Manfre
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
In a www.monster.com survey of 1,000 employees in the United States, 34% reported their job negatively affects their mental health. What is worse is that chronic stress has a serious negative effect on physical health too. If not properly managed and where needed treated, stress can be a killer. 64% of respondents in a recent American Psychological Association Stress in America survey reported work stress as their number source of personal stress.
Many workers are feeling overworked and underpaid. With many jobs remaining unfilled over the past year those that are working are shouldering an even larger workload and it’s taking a toll. Working from home, while a positive for many workers in some ways can lead to a lack of separation from work. Add to this the use of phones that can send and receive emails and even allow workers to do Zoom meetings and a device that was supposed to enable greater freedom is actually making job stress worse.
That’s why mental health professionals are encouraging remote workers to turn off push notifications and set boundaries on their work day. And to not succumb to feelings of guilt, especially when they come from an overbearing boss. It’s OK to push back when necessary. Be professional and calm about it but keep in mind that we get treated the way we allow others to treat us.
Lastly, self-care is also vital – taking a break during the day to stretch or walk is helpful, and workers are encouraged to not skip lunch. Getting restful sleep is also important to mental and physical well-being. A career coach can provide support – venting and developing strategies to manage stress or even identifying another line of work or organization that will be less stressful can brighten your outlook. No one deserves to remain a toxic work place; the cost is simply too high to you and your family.
Frank Manfre
Job Search Sherpa
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