Most Americans feel stressed out by work at one time or another. According to the American Institute of Stress, however, stress is much more prevalent in the workplace than ever. In fact, according to recent studies, 8 out of 10 American workers say they feel stress on the job, with one-quarter of them saying their job is the number one stressor in life.
When dealing with work-related stress, 25% of workers say their stress makes them want to yell or scream, 14% of them confess to wanting to hit a co-worker, and 10% are concerned about a co-worker who they fear could become violent. Workplace violence is characterized by harassing, threatening, stalking, intimidating, and bullying other employees.
About two million people a year say they have been victims of workplace violence. In 2014, 409 people were fatally injured as a result of workplace violence. These are scary statistics, which is why employers are trying to find ways to identify and reduce work-related stressors.
Understanding Work Related Stress
There are many factors that contribute to work-related stress. Some of these include worry and concern about the economy, especially when lay-offs are occurring, meeting tight deadlines, being overworked, and not getting an expected promotion.
It’s recommended that both employers and employees recognize the signs of stress in the workplace, which include hostility toward coworkers, decreased quality of work, changes in behavior, and physical signs of fatigue.
When employees are stressed at work, it often takes a toll on their mental health and leads to depression. In cases where workplace stress causes permanent impairment, the amount of stress is above normal for the job, there are increased levels of anxiety, and the cause of stress can be proven that it is work related, employees may be able to file a workers compensation stress-related claim. According to Jason D. Mills & Associates, workers’ compensation attorneys in Las Vegas, employees usually have 90 days from the date of diagnosis to file a claim.
Curbing Work Related Stress
In order to curb work-related stress, employers are encouraged to keep communication lines open, show appreciation by providing work incentives and rewards, and making a healthy work-life balance a priority. Employers can also implement corporate wellness programs, which has become an effective way to prevent work-related stress.
This can be done by offering flexible work schedules, family leave opportunities, employee assistance programs, and mental health/stress management trainings. Some employers even offer on-site fitness programs and provide quiet places for on-the-job napping.