Job Stress: Why We Really Have High Health Care Costs
by Gloria Dunn
A 40-year-old marketing executive, highly stressed from deadlines and problems at work, developed ulcers and saw his hair turn prematurely gray. One morning, he said, “I'm sick, not happy, getting old and not doing this anymore.” He quit his job and sold his mini-mansion, BMW, plane and boat. He and his wife bought a Volkswagen camper and traveled across the U.S. looking for their next home. They eventually settled in York Beach, Maine, where he writes books and enjoys life. His hair has turned brown again.
Allie, the top salesperson in her company, said she tried everything to get rid of her sleepless nights, stomach aches, and lower back pain. At one point, she was going to a hypnotherapist, a massage therapist, an acupuncturist, and a chiropractor all at the same time. It took a series of illnesses to alert Allie that the pressure from her job was ruinous to her health. Since she changed jobs, she has thrown out her bicarbonate soda, sleeps well, and no longer needs an army of healthcare professionals to keep her well.
What these two individuals had in common was stress that was destroying their health. Stress can be as debilitating as heart disease, cause as much time off from work as the common cold, and is more far-reaching than cancer. The leading source of stress for adults is their jobs. In 1992 the United Nations referred to job stress as “The Twentieth Century Disease.” A few years later, the World Health Organization said it had become a “World Wide Epidemic.” Needless to say, it has only gotten worse.
The workplace holds a plethora of anxiety-producers. Many are from poor management practices and unfriendly workplaces, where conflicts, a sense of powerlessness, and confusion are rampant. Other unpredictable sources are sudden job losses, relocations, losing co-workers to downsizings, or having multiple bosses in quick succession. Stress caused by our current 24/7, doing-more-with-less work environment exacerbates these health problems causing burnout. According to the American Institute of Stress, from 75% to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints as are more than half of the 550,000,000 workdays lost annually in the year 2000 because of absenteeism.
Shenk also notes that a billion-dollar market for acid reducers has grown as a result all of the stress, strain, headaches and digestive problems. He sites tension, in fact, as one of our biggest growth industries. Two out of three visits to the family doctor are thought to be stress-related, and the three top-selling prescription drugs are for ulcers, depression, and hypertension.
If workplace stress was minimized, people would be happier and healthier, and employers would save billions of dollars on health insurance, Workman’s Comp, and lawsuits. Going to the gym is great for exercise, but it won’t eliminate the many underlying causes that produce stress.
Reduce stress and related costs by creating an employee-friendly and well managed workplace. Start by making sure your managers and supervisors are trained in the skills they need to be the best bosses possible. Second, make sure your employees are trained to do their best job possible. Third, eliminate interpersonal dysfunction by establishing a culture that practices acceptance, good values, respect, ongoing learning, positive behaviors, and excellent communication skills. Fourth, encourage employees to have good work relationships and team spirit. Fifth, show appreciation to employees for their intelligence and contributions.
Forming a healthy workplace culture requires thoughtful planning, skill development, and continuous reinforcement. An investment in developing your employees and a healthy work environment will significantly decrease stress, produce a happy and productive workforce, and increase your bottom line.
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Gloria Dunn is a management and organizational development consultant, and president of Wiser Ways to Work. She is the author of "From Making a Living to Having a Life", and also writes and speaks on management topics. She can be reached at 415-883-8239 or at
gloria@wiserwaystowork.com or
visit her website: www.wiserwaystowork.com.
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