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 We've
known for decades that stress can lead to health problems but researchers
have linked it to financial problems. According to a labor report,
stress at work, such as greater job demands, not only affects employees'
health but also the company's health.
Each year the United States forks out more than $300 billion to
cover the health care costs brought on by stress in the workplace.
These costs include missed workdays and the rising costs of the
stress-reduction industry, which has become a much sought-after
outlet of relief for overstressed workers.
Occupational experts report that workers who admit they are stressed
cost companies an average of $600 more per person than other employees.
This is because they incur 46 percent higher health care costs.
This trend is not limited to the United States. In Japan, there
actually is a term for "death from overwork" -- karoshi.
Change is Not Always Good
Experts say changes produced by business trends like downsizing
and outsourcing may spur overall economic growth but they also seem
to increase:
- Heart attack risk for workers
- The number of sick days taken
- Hospitalization of employees
Bringing Home Stress From the Office
U.S. workers average more than 1,800 hours per year. That is:
- 350 hours more than Germans
- Slightly more than the Japanese
Technology has contributed another change -- the ability to work
during "nonwork" hours. Report authors point out that
issues at work often extend to workers' home lives, especially in
"white-collar" jobs when people take their work home with
them.
This blurry line between work and home, experts say, causes burn
out and sleepiness that can compromise health and safety on the
job.
New
York Times September 5, 2004
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